Enhanced performance of photovoltaic–thermoelectric coupling devices with thermal interface materials

Jia Zhang; Han Zhai; Zihua Wu; Yuanyuan Wang; Huaqing Xie; Mengjun Zhang

Energy Reports (Nov 2020)

Enhanced performance of photovoltaic–thermoelectric coupling devices with thermal interface materials

Jia Zhang,
Han Zhai,
Zihua Wu,
Yuanyuan Wang,
Huaqing Xie,
Mengjun Zhang

Affiliations

Jia Zhang: School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China
Han Zhai: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210009, China
Zihua Wu: School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China; Corresponding author.
Yuanyuan Wang: School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China
Huaqing Xie: School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China; School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210009, China
Mengjun Zhang: School of Environmental and Materials Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6
pp. 116 – 122

Abstract

Read online

In this study, thermal interface material is used in photovoltaic–thermoelectric coupling device to enhance the utilization of solar energy. An operating system including cooling equipment is established. The output performance evolutions of PV–TE coupling device are carried out based on thermal contact resistance under different experimental conditions. The PV–TE coupling devices combine with monocrystalline silicon PV cell and bismuth telluride TEG. Results show that adding TEG could minimize the PV cell temperature increase, hence improving PV cell performance effectively. Results also indicate that, with thermal interface material, the power generation by PV cells increases at least 14% and the power generation by TEG increases at least 60% due to the decreasing thermal contact resistance. Applying thermal interface material enhances the heat transfer in PV–TE coupling device.

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