Numerical–Experimental Performance Assessment of a Non-Concentrating Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) Operating in the Southern Hemisphere
Nelson Calderón-Henao,
Osvaldo José Venturini,
Emerson Henrique Medina Franco,
Electo Eduardo Silva Lora,
Helton Fernando Scherer,
Diego Mauricio Yepes Maya,
Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior
Affiliations
Nelson Calderón-Henao
Department of Renewable Energies, UNILA, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Av. Sílvio Américo Sasdelli 1842, Foz do Iguaçu PR 85866-000, Brazil
Osvaldo José Venturini
Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Emerson Henrique Medina Franco
Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Electo Eduardo Silva Lora
Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Helton Fernando Scherer
Battery Laboratory, Itaipu Technological Park (PTI), Av. Tancredo Neves 6731, Foz do Iguaçu-PR 85867-318, Brazil
Diego Mauricio Yepes Maya
Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior
Department of Renewable Energies, UNILA, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Av. Sílvio Américo Sasdelli 1842, Foz do Iguaçu PR 85866-000, Brazil
This study assesses the performance of a solid-state semiconductor-based hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric device that aims to harness both solar irradiance and heat dissipated from photovoltaic cells operating in Foz do Iguaçu city. Initially, the technologies involved, and the arrangement of the proposed device are presented; the modeling process of the generator operation under local operating conditions and taking into account solar energy availability is described later. The thermal energy harvesting brings out an average annual efficiency gain of 4.42% and a maximum efficiency increase of 6.05% (in the fall equinox) compared to standalone PV cell operation. The power output increase due to the utilization of the heat dissipated by the PV cells was substantial, reaching values ranging from 14.82% to 40.54%, depending on the time of year. The novelty of this research stems from the field power generation forecast, in southern hemisphere, for a new STEG device that combines photovoltaic cells and solid-state thermoelectric modules.
