Characterization of Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric-Solar Collector Hybrid Systems in Natural Sunlight Conditions

Two new hybrid systems incorporating photovoltaic, thermoelectric, and solar collector components were designed and characterized under natural sunlight conditions. Two types of photovoltaic cells were used: monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon connected on the hot side of the thermoelectric generator. The two types of solar collectors used were connected on the cold side of the thermoelectric generator. The experimental setup is presented in this paper. The behavior of each component related to irradiance, temperature, and wind speed was studied. The performances of the hybrid systems were determined and compared. The best performance was observed for the hybrid system with the monocrystalline photovoltaic panel. The maximum power of the photovoltaic cells increased by more than 11% when they were integrated in a hybrid system, due to a decrease in temperature. The photovoltaic cells' temperature decreased by 6 degrees C for the solar radiation of 440 W=m(2), to 19 degrees C for 1,000 W=m(2). The time stabilization was determined at 7-8 min for both hybrid systems in clear sky conditions. The software for the system control, data acquisition, and determination of the components' parameters was developed using a graphical language program. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.