Enhanced Performance of Combined Photovoltaic–Thermoelectric Generator and Heat Sink Panels with a Dual-Axis Tracking System

Bagus Radiant Utomo, Amin Sulistyanto, Tri Widodo Besar Riyadi and Agung Tri Wijayanta ()
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Bagus Radiant Utomo: Research Group of Sustanable Thermofluids, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Kentingan, Surakarta 57126, Indonesia
Amin Sulistyanto: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Jl. A. Yani Tromol Pos 1 Pabelan, Kartasura, Surakarta 57102, Indonesia
Tri Widodo Besar Riyadi: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Jl. A. Yani Tromol Pos 1 Pabelan, Kartasura, Surakarta 57102, Indonesia
Agung Tri Wijayanta: Research Group of Sustanable Thermofluids, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Kentingan, Surakarta 57126, Indonesia

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: The photovoltaic panel has become the most promising alternative technology for energy demand. Solar trackers have been used to improve the efficiency of a photovoltaic panel to maximize the sun’s exposure. In high temperatures, however, the photovoltaic efficiency is significantly reduced. This study observes photovoltaic/thermoelectric generator performance driven by a dual-axis solar tracking system. A photovoltaic/thermoelectric generator panel was built and equipped with angle and radiation sensors. A microcontroller processes the sensor signal and drives the motor to follow the sun’s movement in two-axis directions. Thermocouples are mounted on the photovoltaic and thermoelectric generator surfaces to monitor the temperature. The result shows that the temperature of the photovoltaic/thermoelectric generator is lower than that of the photovoltaic one. However, a contradiction occurred in the output power. The efficiency of the combined photovoltaic/thermoelectric generator was 13.99%, which is higher than the photovoltaic panel at 10.64% and the thermoelectric generator at 0.2%. The lower temperature in the photovoltaic/thermoelectric generator is responsible for increasing its performance. Although the thermoelectric generator contributes modest efficiency, its role in reducing the temperature is essential. Analyses of some cooling techniques for photovoltaic panels prove that the combined thermoelectric generator and heat sink improves photovoltaic performance with simplified technology.

Keywords: photovoltaic–thermoelectric generator; heat sink; cooling methods; efficiency (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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