Analysis of power generation considering design and finishing materials of thermoelectric energy harvesting blocks

A thermoelectric-generator-based energy-harvesting block capable of continuously generating electricity 24 h a day using solar radiation and waste heat from a building exterior was proposed. The energy-harvesting block consists of a thermoelectric generator and a phase change material. This study aims to investigate the amount of power generated according to various designs and types of finishing materials for energy-harvesting blocks to increase the amount of power generated by small energy-harvesting blocks. It consists of a single-layer energy-harvesting block that removes the thermal resistor, and a double-layer energy-harvesting block that enlarges the area to increase radiation and convection. Four types of energy harvesting blocks applied with black coating were manufactured to increase the insolation absorption rate, and the temperature and open circuit voltage were measured. Among the four types of energy-harvesting blocks, the black-coated double-layer energy-harvesting block produced the maximum power generation of 0.0601 Wh/day. The black coating has a significant influence on the inflow of solar radiation and the amount of power generated, and the double-layer energy-harvesting block is a suitable design to maximize the amount of power generated.