Development and applications of solar-based thermoelectric technologies

In this paper a survey of solar-based driven thermoelectric technologies and their applications is presented. Initially, a brief analysis of the environmental problems related to the use of conventional technologies and energy sources is presented and the benefits offered by thermoelectric technologies and renewable energy systems are outlined. The development history of solar-based thermoelectric technologies is introduced together with the discussion of the existing drawbacks of current systems. Typical applications of the solar-driven thermoelectric refrigeration and the solar-driven thermoelectric power generation are presented in order to show to the reader the extent of their applicability. The application areas described in this paper show that solar-driven thermoelectric technologies could be used in a wide variety of fields. They are attractive technologies that not only can serve the needs for refrigeration, air-conditioning applications and power generation, but also can meet demand for energy conservation and environment protection. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.