Numerical–Experimental Performance Assessment of a Non-Concentrating Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) Operating in the Southern Hemisphere

Nelson Calderón-Henao, Osvaldo José Venturini, Emerson Henrique Medina Franco, Electo Eduardo Silva Lora, Helton Fernando Scherer, Diego Mauricio Yepes Maya and Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior
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Nelson Calderón-Henao: Department of Renewable Energies, UNILA, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Av. Sílvio Américo Sasdelli 1842, Foz do Iguaçu PR 85866-000, Brazil
Osvaldo José Venturini: Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Emerson Henrique Medina Franco: Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Electo Eduardo Silva Lora: Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Helton Fernando Scherer: Battery Laboratory, Itaipu Technological Park (PTI), Av. Tancredo Neves 6731, Foz do Iguaçu-PR 85867-318, Brazil
Diego Mauricio Yepes Maya: Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior: Department of Renewable Energies, UNILA, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Av. Sílvio Américo Sasdelli 1842, Foz do Iguaçu PR 85866-000, Brazil

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-23

Abstract: This study assesses the performance of a solid-state semiconductor-based hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric device that aims to harness both solar irradiance and heat dissipated from photovoltaic cells operating in Foz do Iguaçu city. Initially, the technologies involved, and the arrangement of the proposed device are presented; the modeling process of the generator operation under local operating conditions and taking into account solar energy availability is described later. The thermal energy harvesting brings out an average annual efficiency gain of 4.42% and a maximum efficiency increase of 6.05% (in the fall equinox) compared to standalone PV cell operation. The power output increase due to the utilization of the heat dissipated by the PV cells was substantial, reaching values ranging from 14.82% to 40.54%, depending on the time of year. The novelty of this research stems from the field power generation forecast, in southern hemisphere, for a new STEG device that combines photovoltaic cells and solid-state thermoelectric modules.

Keywords: photovoltaic cells; thermoelectric generator; solar thermoelectric generator; efficiency gains; energy harvesting; COMSOL Multiphysics ® (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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