Performance of Hybrid Energy Devices Consisting of Photovoltaic Cells and Thermoelectric Generators

The aim of our study on hybrid energy devices (HEDs) is to find out the prerequisites for enhancing the performance of the HEDs using solar energy. In this work, first of all, the performance of the HEDs composed of photovoltaic cells (PVCs) and thermoelectric generators (TEGs) is analyzed, and then the contribution of three different interfaces between the PVC and TEG components to HED performance is assessed under solar irradiance from 200 to 1000 W/m2. The significant result of the analysis emphasizes that the performance of HEDs is enhanced when short-circuit current in HEDs is comparable with the PVCs and the thermoelectric voltage generated by the TEG is large. Furthermore, interfaces with high solar-energy-absorption efficiencies and high thermal conductivity cause TEGs to generate large thermoelectric voltages. Thus, the design of the interfaces plays an important role in enhancing HED performance.