Time-Dependent Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric Hybrid Systems

Abstract

Photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid systems that operate in steady state have attracted considerable attention due to the possibility of supplying more power output than the photovoltaic cell alone. In real life, however, the solar energy continually changes during a day, thus rendering the assumption of steady state unrealistic. In this study, we have investigated such time-dependent systems by following the trajectory of the sun between sunrise and sunset. Computed results of thermal efficiencies are parametrized in heat transfer coefficients, the thermal conductivities of the thermoelectric module, and Seebeck coefficients. For values of the Seebeck coefficient greater than 2.13 × 10⁻³ V/K thermal efficiencies of the hybrid system appear higher than those of the photovoltaic cells alone. To tackle the strong nonlinear coupling between nodal temperatures, and power outputs, we have adopted two-stage iterative schemes.