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Performance investigation of the hybrid power and cooling system integrating tandem solar cells with thermoelectric devices

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  • Xu, Yongzhen
  • Huang, Yuewu

Abstract

To address the limitations in current solar cell designs in absorbing the solar spectrum and managing waste heat, the current investigation develops an innovative hybrid system (TPGC) integrating tandem solar cells (TSC), a solar selective absorber (SSA), a thermoelectric generator (TEG), and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC). The system utilizes the spectral complementary absorption properties of tandem solar cells to effectively enhance the capability of capturing spectral energy while concurrently harnessing waste heat through thermoelectric conversion, thereby significantly enhancing overall energy utilization efficiency. A comprehensive parametric analysis is conducted on the hybrid system, evaluating the influence of critical factors such as operating temperature, ambient temperature, defect density, absorber layer thickness, the number of thermoelectric elements, and the Thomson effect. The results indicate that at the optimal operating current density of the TEG-TEC system, the TPGC system achieves a power density of 227.161 Wm-2, representing improvement of 28.6 % compared to single-junction solar cell. These results underscore the system's ability to integrate spectral absorption and waste heat recovery synergistically, enhancing its effectiveness for renewable energy applications and providing a practical framework for optimizing advanced hybrid systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu, Yongzhen & Huang, Yuewu, 2026. "Performance investigation of the hybrid power and cooling system integrating tandem solar cells with thermoelectric devices," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PD).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pd:s0960148125018750
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124211
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    References listed on IDEAS

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