Higher conversion efficiency for combined systems with triple-junction GaAs photovoltaic cell and thermoelectric device

Xiaoxue Guo; Han Zhai; Zihua Wu; Yuanyuan Wang; Huaqing Xie

Energy Reports (Dec 2023)

Higher conversion efficiency for combined systems with triple-junction GaAs photovoltaic cell and thermoelectric device

Xiaoxue Guo,
Han Zhai,
Zihua Wu,
Yuanyuan Wang,
Huaqing Xie

Affiliations

Xiaoxue Guo: School of Energy and Materials, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Advanced Thermal Functional Materials, Shanghai 201209, China
Han Zhai: State Key Laboratory of Space Power-sources, Shanghai Institute of Space Power-sources, Shanghai 200245, China
Zihua Wu: School of Energy and Materials, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Advanced Thermal Functional Materials, Shanghai 201209, China
Yuanyuan Wang: School of Energy and Materials, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Advanced Thermal Functional Materials, Shanghai 201209, China
Huaqing Xie: School of Energy and Materials, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Advanced Thermal Functional Materials, Shanghai 201209, China; Corresponding author at: School of Energy and Materials, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
pp. 1426 – 1435

Abstract

Read online

Photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) hybrid systems have the potential to increase solar energy utilization and possess broad development prospects. However, it is critical to select a suitable PV cell to couple with TE device and improve the efficiency of the photovoltaic–thermoelectric (PV-TE) hybrid system. This study used thermal interface materials (TIMs) with different thermal conductivities in triple-junction InGaP/GaAs/GeInG (tj-GaAs) PV-TE hybrid systems to reduce thermal contact resistance (TCR). The performance was investigated using a solar simulator with adjustable irradiation intensity and a liquid cooling device with controllable temperature. A comparative study has also been conducted with mono-crystalline (mc-Si) PV-TE system of the similar structure. The results indicated that the total output power of the direct contact PV-TE hybrid device and the optimized hybrid device using a thermal grease with a conductivity of 5.8 W m−1 K−1 could increase by 5.50% and 16.24%, respectively, compared with that of the pure PV. Moreover, lower cooling water temperatures have improved the performance of both PV cell and TE device. Results also indicated that the output power produced by the PV cell and TE device in the tj-GaAs PV-TE system are 537 mW and 0.76 mW higher than that produced by the PV cell and TE device in mc-Si silicon PV-TE system at 3.5 suns and 20 °C cooling water temperature, respectively. Compared to mc-Si PV cells, GaAs PV cells are more suitable for PV-TE hybrid systems and more adaptable under concentrated light conditions.

Published in Energy Reports

ISSN: 2352-4847 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy-reports/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords