Performance optimization of photovoltaic thermoelectric systems based on phase change materials

Song Lv, Wenzhuo Liu and Jiahao Yang

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 240, issue C

Abstract: Photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator (PV-TEG) systems have received widespread research attention as a means to improve the efficiency and time of full spectrum solar energy utilization. However, the energy loss caused by heat dissipation in the shell structure is often forgotten, reduces the input energy density and affects the power generation efficiency. Therefore, this work constructed a centralized thermal photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator-phase change material (PV-TEG-PCM) hybrid system. Thermal insulation material is added around the TEG to collect heat and improve the input density of heat energy. The heat collection effect keeps more heat inside the system, allowing the PCM to absorb and store more heat, thus regulating the temperature of the system more effectively. Comparative experiments were carried out to study the performance of the system, and the results showed that the efficiency of the PV-TEG-PCM hybrid system was increased to 14.2 % at 1000 W/m2 irradiance. Compared with the independent photovoltaic system, the temperature is reduced by 2.4 °C and the maximum efficiency is increased by 1.7 %. Compared with the mixed system without insulation material, the addition of insulation material reduces the system temperature by 3.29 °C. The proposed hybrid power system can improve the energy density and reduce the system temperature, which provides an innovative scheme for high efficiency hybrid power system.

Keywords: Solar energy; Photovoltaic cells; Phase change material (PCM); PV-TEG-PCM hybrid system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:240:y:2025:i:c:s0960148124022717

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.122203

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