Hybrid photovoltaic and thermoelectric module for high concentration solar system

A photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) hybrid module was developed for application to high concentration solar systems. The waste heat from the solar cells under concentrated light illumination was utilized to generate additional electricity by assembling TE devices below the multi-junction solar cells (MJSCs). Considering the high operating temperature of the PV and TE hybrid module compared with conventional concentrator PV modules, the TE device could compensate a part of the MJSC efficiency degradation at high temperature. The performance investigation clarified the feasibility of the hybrid PV and TE module under highly concentrated sunlight illumination.