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Energy and Exergy Analysis of a Hybrid Photovoltaic–Thermoelectric System with Passive Thermal Management

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  • Francisco J. Montero

    (Departamento de Ciencias de la Energía y Mecánica, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, P.O. Box 171-5-231B, Sangolquí 171103, Ecuador
    Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica y Metalúrgica, Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago de Chile 7820436, Chile)

  • Paco Jovanni Vásquez Carrera

    (Extensión La Maná, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, La Maná 050201, Ecuador)

  • William Armando Hidalgo Osorio

    (Extensión La Maná, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, La Maná 050201, Ecuador)

  • Aleph Salvador Acebo Arcentales

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Industria y Arquitectura, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí ULEAM, Manta 130212, Ecuador)

  • Héctor Calvopiña

    (Departamento de Ciencias de la Energía y Mecánica, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, P.O. Box 171-5-231B, Sangolquí 171103, Ecuador)

  • Yousra Filali Baba

    (Thermal and Energy Research Team (ERTE), Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers of Rabat (ENSAM), Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 08007, Morocco)

Abstract

Hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric generator (TEG) systems combine heat and light energy harvesting in a single module by utilizing the entire solar spectrum. This work analyzed the feasibility and performance of a hybrid photovoltaic–thermoelectric generator system with efficient thermal management by integrating heat pipe (HP), radiative cooling (RC), and heat sink (HS) systems. The proposed system effectively reduces the PV operation temperature by evacuating the residual heat used in the TEG system to generate an additional amount of electricity. The remaining heat is evacuated from the TEG’s cold side to the atmosphere using RC and HS systems. This study also analyzed the inclusion of two TEG arrays on both sides of the HP condenser section. This numerical analysis was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5 software and was validated by previous analysis. The performance was evaluated through an energy and exergy analysis of the TEG and PV systems. Enhancing the thermal management of the hybrid PV-TEG system can increase energy production by 2.4% compared to a PV system operating under the same ambient and solar radiation conditions. Furthermore, if the proposed system includes a second array of TEG modules, the energy production increases by 5.8% compared to the PV system. The exergy analysis shows that the enhancement in the thermal management of the PV operating temperature decreases the thermal exergy efficiency of the proposed system but increases the electricity exergy efficiency. Including TEG modules on both sides of the condenser section of the HP shows the system’s best thermal and electrical performance. These results may be helpful for the optimal design of realistic solar-driven hybrid systems for globally deserted locations.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco J. Montero & Paco Jovanni Vásquez Carrera & William Armando Hidalgo Osorio & Aleph Salvador Acebo Arcentales & Héctor Calvopiña & Yousra Filali Baba, 2025. "Energy and Exergy Analysis of a Hybrid Photovoltaic–Thermoelectric System with Passive Thermal Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-27, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:1900-:d:1630666
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    References listed on IDEAS

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