Performance Investigation of Semitransparent Photovoltaic Thermal-Thermoelectric Generator (SPVT-TEG) Hybrid System

In this simulation-based communication, an elaborative thermal model of SPVT- TEG hybrid is studied. A TEG attached with a PV panel ensures partial conversion of thermal energy radiated by the PV panel into electrical energy, which is otherwise fully lost to the environment in case of a standalone PV panel. The Thomson effect, Seebeck effect, Fourier heat transfer and Joule heating has been considered TEG. Using the thermal model, evaluation of all the relevant parameters has been carried out. All the parameters have been for commercially available three values of number of thermocouples (n) i.e., 62, 127 and 200. The results state that both the maximum power output of 171.84 W and maximum efficiency of 10.45% are obtained for n = 200.