Integrated Thermoelectric Photovoltaic
Renewable Energy System
Luocheng Wang, Jonathan Weiss, Antony Xenophontos
Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Drives Lab (APEDL)
ECE Department and Center for Clean Energy Engineering
Team 189
Adviser: Prof. Ali Bazzi
Senior Design Proposal Presentation
10/16/2013
Outline
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Project Overview & Statement of Need
Applications & System Description
Overview of Photovoltaics & Thermoelectrics
Physical Configurations & Limitations
Execution Plan & Service Learning
Questions
Project Overview
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Currently, a major concern with sustainable energy
sources is their low efficiencies
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Photovoltaic Solar Panel n ~ 15-20%
Thermoelectric Generator n ~ 5-10%
Solar and thermal energy sources are usually available
simultaneously.
The goal is to develop a more efficient system by
harvesting both of these energy sources.
Statement of Need
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The main objective of our project is to analyze, model and
evaluate a hybrid PV & TEG system.
We plan on doing this by:
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Testing and comparing TEGs and solar panels individually,
then as various configurations
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Series
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Parallel
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Individual
Develop mathematical models for each configuration
Finally, determine and build the most efficient integrated
system
Outline
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Project Overview & Statement of Need
Applications & System Description
Overview of Photovoltaics & Thermoelectrics
Physical Configurations & Limitations
Execution Plan & Service Learning
Questions
Applications
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Vehicles
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House
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Solar cells on roof
TEGs under the hood/near exhaust
Solar Panels on roof
Indoor/Outdoor temperature difference
Naval Vessels
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A lot of space for Photovoltaic arrays as auxiliary power supply
TEGs on hull for exterior/interior temperature difference
System Description
Outline
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Project Overview & Statement of Need
Applications & System Description
Overview of Photovoltaics & Thermoelectric
Physical Configurations & Limitations
Execution Plan & Service Learning
Questions
Photovoltaics
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Solar cells convert solar
energy to electrical
energy using the
photoelectric effect.
q ( V  IR S )
I  I L  I O (e
UCONN APDL Lab
AKT
 1) 
V  IR S
R Sh
Photovoltaics – Cont.
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The power curve from
the solar cell has a
maximum point at which
the cell is most efficient.
Maximum Power Point
Tracking (MPPT) is the
method to detect this
point.
IV curve (black) and Power Voltage curve (green) for photovoltaics
from Solartech Power Inc. SPM030P Specification.
Thermoelectrics
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TEGs draw energy from the
heat difference between the
two plates, using the Seebeck
effect.
V  VG  rG I
VG    T
“Thermoelectric Develoments for Vehicular
Applications” – John W. Fairbanks
Thermoelectrics – Cont.
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Thermoelectric
modelling also
includes a
maximum power
point
MPPT is much
easier for TEGs
based on the
shape of the power
curve.
IV curve (black) and Power Voltage curve (blue) for TEG from
Solidate Power Generator TEG1-12611-6.0 Specification.
Outline
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Project Overview & Statement of Need
Applications & System Description
Overview of Photovoltaics & Thermoelectric
Physical Configurations & Limitations
Execution Plan & Service Learning
Question
System Configuration
• We will have to determine a way to mount the TEGs
onto the Solar Panels to take advantage of the
excess heat.
• Integrated configuration• TEG on back of solar panel
• TEG under partial shading
• TEG under focused light
System Configuration
TEGs on a Solar Panel
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Due to solar panels low efficiency, a lot of energy is
wasted as either reflected light or heat.
Placing TEGs on the back of the solar panel can take
advantage of this waste heat, but the panel
temperature rise is very limited (~3 oC)
Possible solutions:
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Use heat absorbent material between the solar cells to
increase power from the TEGs
Set requirements for new TEG designs
Have separate heat and light sources
System Configuration
Hot Spots
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Solar Panels are solar cells in series, so they all share
current under normal conditions.
An area of shading over a solar panel results in current
dropping in the shading area.
This causes voltage to rise in the unshaded area.
Voltage rising leads to reverse bias in the same area,
known as a ‘Hot Spot’.
System Configuration
Focusing Sunlight
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Focusing sunlight is a way to increase incoming
solar energy.
This will increase the temperature difference on the
TEG.
Thus, the total power will be increased under this
configuration.
System Limitations
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This system is entirely reliant on environmental factors.
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The system must remain affordable
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Night, Clouds, etc.
Seasonal/Topographical temperatures
Extra power afforded by the system must outweigh extra cost of
construction.
Efficiency advantage of the integrated system
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The configuration must lead to a higher efficiency than either of
the individual components.
Outline
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Project Overview & Statement of Need
Applications & System Description
Overview of Photovoltaics & Thermoelectric
Physical Configurations & Limitations
Execution Plan & Service Learning
Questions
Timeline
09/30/13
10/12/13
Literature
Review
Modelling
Component
Selection
Individual
Configuration
Testing
Begin Physical
Configuration
Design
10/13/13
10/27/13
10/27/13
11/10/13
11/11/13
11/25/13
11/26/13
12/09/13
12/10/13
12/17/13
Service Learning
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As part of our Senior Design Project we also plan to
take part in Service Learning.
We will present our completed project and related
energy efficiency concepts to one or more local high
schools.
This will raise awareness on the subject of
sustainable energy, as well as the value of this
research.
Will add a new dimension of public outreach to our
project.
Outline
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•
•
•
•
•
Project Overview & Statement of Need
Applications & System Description
Overview of Photovoltaics & Thermoelectric
Physical Configurations & Limitations
Execution Plan & Service Learning
Questions
Questions?