Comparison of the thermoelectric performance of different photovoltaic/thermal hybrid thermoelectric generation modules: An experimental study

To enhance the thermoelectric performance of photovoltaic/thermal hybrid thermoelectric generations modules (PV/T-TEG), a novel photovoltaic/dual thermal phase change material thermoelectric component (PV/2 T-PCM-TEG) was designed, which is composed of PV-PCM-TEG and TEG hot and cold side of the two layers of serpentine copper tubes. In this study, we designed and constructed an experimental bench for five components, PV, PV/T, PV/T-PCM, PV/T-PCM-TEG, and PV/2 T-PCM-TEG, and completed comparative performance analyses. The results showed that PV/2 T-PCM-TEG not only improved the power generation performance of photovoltaic cells more effectively, but also obtained more thermal exergy, with total average and optimal exergy efficiencies of 14.86 % and 18.50 %, respectively. The average PV cell temperature of the PV/2 T-PCM-TEG can be reduced by a maximum of 10.8 °C, 8.6 °C, 3.6 °C, and 2.1 °C compared to the first four modules. The PV/2 T-PCM-TEG had the best power generation performance with 12.97 % efficiency, and its average total exergy efficiency is 55.11 %, 42.61 %, 11.39 %, and 5.92 % higher than that of the previous four types of modules, respectively. It can be seen that the PV/2 T-PCM-TEG module can effectively improve the thermoelectric properties and provide a reference basis for the design of PV/T-TEG structure. •A PV/2 T-PCM-TEG component was designed.•Performance test benches for five different PV components were constructed.•Thermoelectric properties of five different PV components were compared.•Thermoelectric properties of PV/2 T-PCM-TEG component was effectively improved.•Thermoelectric exergy efficiency of PV/2 T-PCM-TEG was increased by 5.92 %.