Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermoelectric Generator System under Non-Tracking and Tracking Condition

Abstract

In this study, the performance of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules in converting the excess photovoltaic (PV) temperature to electricity in a hybrid photovoltaic/thermoelectric (PV/TEG) generator system is investigated. A one-dimensional analytical heat transfer model for the hybrid PV/TEG with pin-fin based heat sink is developed in Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and simulated under tracking and non-tracking conditions. The solar irradiance collected by the PV/TEG system under tracking and non-tracking conditions was calculated using the Solar Emulator tool via TracePro software. The effect of varying solar radiation and a varying number of TEGs on PV temperature, PV output, and TEG output is evaluated using solar radiation on March 15, 2020, in the Jalan Taylor’s, Malaysia (3.0626° N, 101.6168° E). Finally, the optimum number of TEG modules required for maximum TEG power output in the hybrid PV/TEG system under tracking and non-tracking conditions is investigated and discussed. The maximum net PTEG is obtained for 336, 339, and 341 TEGs under no-tracking, single-axis, and dual-axis tracking conditions, respectively.