Comparing different geometries for photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid devices based on organics

Abstract

The preferred geometry for hybrid organic photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid devices is a transmission, contact geometry. Besides the extra energy afforded by the thermoelectric, for organics, the photovoltaic efficiency improves when hot (cf. inorganics).

Solar cell-based hybrid energy harvesters towards sustainability

“…When using the ice bath to cool the cold side of the TEG component, the total PCE of the SC-TEG boosted from 9.88% (only solar cell component) to 22.2% (both solar cell and TEG), and the maximum output power density of 22.2 mW cm −2 with the maximum V oc of 1.87 V could be generated under AM 1.5G illumination. Another novel Monte Carlo-Finite Difference Time Domain (MC-FDTD) coupled method for improving the uniformity of the absorbed irradiance distribution by using various dimensional nanostructures was proposed by Zhou and coworkers 133 . According to their study, the presence of moth-eye nanostructures could improve the overall conversion efficiency of the SC-TEG.…”

Flexible solar and thermal energy conversion devices: Organic photovoltaics (OPVs), organic thermoelectric generators (OTEGs) and hybrid PV-TEG systems

“…[381]), OPV-OTEG hybrid (Reprint permission from Ref. [382]), Printed OTEGs (Reprint permission from Ref. [383])).…”

“…25). More recently, Campoy-Quiles et al [382] investigated the effect of geometry on energy conversion efficiency in all organic PV-TE device. They considered reflection, non-contact, and contact transmissions geometries in their work.…”

Rapid Evaluation System for Photovoltaic Cell and Thermoelectric Generator Hybrid Devices Depending on Temperature via Transparent Heater

“…Developing more efficient ways of utilizing renewable solar energy is currently a high priority, to mitigate the global energy crisis. Recently, hybrid solar energy conversion devices consisting of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which absorb photons from solar radiation and convert them to electrical energy, and a thermoelectric generator (TEG), which converts a temperature difference to electrical energy via the Seebeck effect, have recently emerged as candidates to improve the efficient use of solar energy. − PV cells can only absorb photons that have energy higher than the bandgap of the PV materials, while the photons with lower energy are transmitted or dissipated as waste heat in the PV. This generated heat significantly increases the temperature in the PV, and not only decreases PV performance but also reduces its lifespan .…”