A thermoelectric generator (TEG) converts thermal energy directly into electrical energy. The principle work of this device is known as a Seebeck Effect. The TEG can be used effectively to harvest low thermal energy to power a low power Wireless Sensor Node (WSN). As the same as solar cells, the TEG connection can be a distributed string either in parallel or in series. However, the performance of the TEG string due to the inhomogeneity temperature gradient in each TEG is still not well investigated. This paper presents the effect of the inhomogeneity temperature gradient on the performance characteristics of the TEG string. The test is carried out using a Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) as a thermal source on the TEG string. The experimental result is provided to verify the performance of the TEG in various cases of this inhomogeneity temperature gradient.
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