Electrical Efficiency Enhancement of Thermal-Thermoelectric Photovoltaic Hybrid Solar System (PVT-TE) by Thermoelectric Effect

A photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system uses a photovoltaic and a solar thermal collector to create heat and electricity. Since both heat and electricity may be generated and consumed concurrently, PVT systems have a greater energy output per unit area than PV modules or solar thermal collectors. Air-based PVT collectors employ air as a heat transfer medium and flow patterns impact collector performance. Experiments were used to evaluate the thermal and electrical performance of an air- based PVT collector. In addition to lowering the surface temperature of PV cells, the thermoelectric Seebeck effect enables the thermal gradient induced by the heat generated in the PV module to generate electricity. Combining thermoelectric generators (TE) with PVT systems is an innovative way to further enhance solar energy conversion and increase electric power. In addition, the combination of both systems has the potential to improve performance owing to the compensatory effects of both systems. The thermoelectric generator may utilise the solar system's waste heat to create extra energy, therefore enhancing the hybrid system's total power output and efficiency of the PVT-TE system. The effect of mass flow rate and radiation intensity is also being investigated. Experimental studies were carried out at airflow rate of 0.009 kg/s, 0.021 kg/s, 0.039 kg/s, 0.069 kg/s and 0.095 kg/s and radiation intensities in the range of 455.64 W/m(2) to 795.18 W/m(2). These readings were used in calculating the thermal and electrical efficiency of the proposed PVT system. The output PVT power was compared between `with TE' and `without TE' conditions. Overall, the output power of the PVT-TE system is also higher than the PVT system in the range of 32.59% to 55.93%.