Analysis of combined solar photovoltaic-nanostructured thermoelectric generator system. Issue 11 (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rabari, Ronil; Mahmud, Shohel; Dutta, Animesh
• Is Part Of: International journal of green energy. Volume 13:Issue 11(2016)
• Page Start: 1175
• Page End: 1184
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: Thermoelectric generator -- Seebeck effect -- solar energy -- photovoltaic panel -- power generation; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1080/15435075.2016.1173040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1543-5075

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this paper, a combined solar photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) generator system is investigated. The TE generator converts the temperature gradient into electricity eventually improving the overall performance of the system. A nanostructured TE material is used in this investigation and its power generation performance is compared with the traditional TE material. Using the analytical solutions, different performance parameters (e.g. heat input, power output, efficiency) are calculated and expressed graphically as a function of solar radiation and convection heat transfer coefficient. In addition to this, different performance parameters were also compared between traditional and nanostructured TE materials. Moreover, the nanostructured TE material leads to improvement in performance of TE generator due to the reduction in thermal conductivity and improvement in electrical conductivity. The TE generators have a large impact on the overall efficiency of the combined system at higher radiation.