Numerical and experimental performance evaluation of a laser-concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator hybrid system

Abstract

Thermal management of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) modules is essential to avoid the decrease in conversion efficiency caused by temperature rise during their operation. This is even more important for laser-concentrated CPV hybrid systems where out-of-control temperature rise is more likely to happen. In this research, a three-dimensional simulation model for a concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric (CPV-TE) hybrid system was studied to optimize its parameters and improve its conversion efficiency under laser radiation. Based on the simulation results, an integrated CPV-TE device was designed, fabricated, and tested under a high-power laser. The novel integrated CPV-TE system utilizes growing electrodes to encapsulate CPV directly on the TEG. Compared to conventional CPV-TE systems that utilize silicone-filled, the integrated CPV-TE system reduces contact thermal resistance and increases output power as well as conversion efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to discuss and optimize a CPV-TE hybrid system for laser radiation. In addition, this research improves the efficiency of laser energy conversion, increases the reliability and stability of the system, and may facilitate the promotion of optical wireless and fiber power transmission systems in future applications.

Multiobjective Optimization and Machine Learning Algorithms for Forecasting the 3E Performance of a Concentrated Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric System

“…Similarly, we assumed a convection heat transfer coefficient of 9.5 W/(m 2 K) which corresponds to the wind speed of 1 m/s (using Equation ( 12)). This value may be different from what Li et al [18] considered because it was not explicitly stated. Since the PV is sensitive to both the thermal resistance and the convection coefficient, its output values may differ if any of the parameters is different from that of the reference.…”

“…Similarly, as the incident power increases, the temperature gradient across the TEM increases, and this led to an increase in the output power of the TEM. Furthermore, some assumptions made by Li et al [18] (blue line) were not reported in the paper. For example, the thermal resistances between the PV and TEG, TEG, and heat sink were not reported.…”

“…The CPV-TE model developed in this study is validated against a 3-dimensional numerical study by Li et al [18] as shown in Figure 6. In both studies, the output power of the PV operating in the CPV-TE system increases with an increase in the incident power; this will continue until maximum power is achieved.…”

“…Among these proposed techniques, the thermoelectric cooling method stands out due to the relative effectiveness, commercial availability, and affordability of the thermoelectric module (TEM) in cooling the concentrated solar photovoltaic (CPV) system [13][14][15]. Some researchers have experimentally demonstrated how the CPV-TE hybrid system was capable of generating a higher power and efficiency than the stand-alone CPV system by utilizing the entire broad solar spectrum [16][17][18][19]. Khan et al [16] recorded a 5.5% drop in the solar cell temperature and a subsequent 17% increase in the overall system's efficiency when TEMs were integrated with PVs.…”

“…Mahmoudinezhad et al [17] concluded that the power generation rate of the hybrid CPV-TE was 11.67% higher than that of a stand-alone CPV system. Li et al [18] improved the CPV-TE's overall efficiency by 8%, while Yin et al [19] concluded that operating the CPV in tandem with the TEM improved the hybrid system's performance by 8.7%, especially under concentrated solar applications.…”