The development of renewable energy, especially solar, is essential for meeting future energy demands. The use of a wide range of the solar spectrum through the solar cells will increase electricity generation and thereby improve energy supply. However, solar photovoltaics (PV) can only convert a portion of the spectrum into electricity. Excess solar radiation is wasted by heat, which decreases solar PV cells’ efficiency and decreases their life span. Interestingly, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are bidirectional devices that act as heat engines, converting the excess heat into electrical energy through thermoelectric effects through when integrated with a PV. These generators also enhance device efficiency and reduce the amount of heat that solar cells dissipate. Several experiments have been carried out to improve the hybrid PV-TEG system efficiency, and some are still underway. In the present study, the photovoltaic and thermoelectric theories are reviewed. Furthermore, different hybrid system integration methods and experimental and numerical investigations in improving the efficiency of PV-TEG hybrid systems are also discussed. This paper also assesses the effect of critical parameters of PV-TEG performance and highlights possible future research topics to enhancing the literature on photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator systems.

No abstract

Renewable energies such as wind and solar energy have a key role in the global energy sector today. The shortage of conventional sources and the growing concern about greenhouse gas emissions bring about alternative sources energy. The wind energy is one of the major developments in alternative energy today. This paper presents the statistical evaluation of wind speed data for power generation at Anyigba, Nigeria. The data for this work was collected from Tropospheric Data Acquisition Network's (TRODAN), Campbell Scientific Automatic Weather Station at 4 m height. The data was for the 2015-2019 period is at an interval of five ( 5) minutes update cycle. The height was then converted to 20 m using the power law expression. A small to medium Wind Energy Conversation System (WECS), (WES-30 turbine) was used in this work and the result confirms that the selected WECS would be suitable for this area. From the results, the maximum wind speed was observed to be 4.961 m/s in February, 2016 while the minimum wind speed was 1.135 m/s for November, 2015. This is attributed to the dry season and raining season in the case of high and low wind speed respectively. Using Weibull model, the result shows an average value of scale parameter and shape parameter of 0.88 in November and 6.31 m/s in January of the whole years considered. The highest energy was obtained in February, 2016 while the lowest energy was in November, 2015; this corresponds to the season of high wind and low wind speed respectively.