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Article

Numerical–Experimental Performance Assessment of a Non-Concentrating Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) Operating in the Southern Hemisphere

by
Nelson Calderón-Henao
1,2,
Osvaldo José Venturini
2,
Emerson Henrique Medina Franco
2,
Electo Eduardo Silva Lora
2,
Helton Fernando Scherer
3,
Diego Mauricio Yepes Maya
2 and
Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior
1,*
1
Department of Renewable Energies, UNILA, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Av. Sílvio Américo Sasdelli 1842, Foz do Iguaçu PR 85866-000, Brazil
2
Excellence Group in Thermal Power and Distributed Generation (NEST), Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá MG 37500-005, Brazil
3
Battery Laboratory, Itaipu Technological Park (PTI), Av. Tancredo Neves 6731, Foz do Iguaçu-PR 85867-318, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Energies 2020, 13(10), 2666; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102666
Submission received: 30 April 2020 / Revised: 20 May 2020 / Accepted: 21 May 2020 / Published: 25 May 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Thermoelectric Generators)
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Abstract

This study assesses the performance of a solid-state semiconductor-based hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric device that aims to harness both solar irradiance and heat dissipated from photovoltaic cells operating in Foz do Iguaçu city. Initially, the technologies involved, and the arrangement of the proposed device are presented; the modeling process of the generator operation under local operating conditions and taking into account solar energy availability is described later. The thermal energy harvesting brings out an average annual efficiency gain of 4.42% and a maximum efficiency increase of 6.05% (in the fall equinox) compared to standalone PV cell operation. The power output increase due to the utilization of the heat dissipated by the PV cells was substantial, reaching values ranging from 14.82% to 40.54%, depending on the time of year. The novelty of this research stems from the field power generation forecast, in southern hemisphere, for a new STEG device that combines photovoltaic cells and solid-state thermoelectric modules.
Keywords: photovoltaic cells; thermoelectric generator; solar thermoelectric generator; efficiency gains; energy harvesting; COMSOL Multiphysics® photovoltaic cells; thermoelectric generator; solar thermoelectric generator; efficiency gains; energy harvesting; COMSOL Multiphysics®
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MDPI and ACS Style

Calderón-Henao, N.; Venturini, O.J.; Franco, E.H.M.; Eduardo Silva Lora, E.; Scherer, H.F.; Maya, D.M.Y.; Ando Junior, O.H. Numerical–Experimental Performance Assessment of a Non-Concentrating Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) Operating in the Southern Hemisphere. Energies 2020, 13, 2666. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102666

AMA Style

Calderón-Henao N, Venturini OJ, Franco EHM, Eduardo Silva Lora E, Scherer HF, Maya DMY, Ando Junior OH. Numerical–Experimental Performance Assessment of a Non-Concentrating Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) Operating in the Southern Hemisphere. Energies. 2020; 13(10):2666. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102666

Chicago/Turabian Style

Calderón-Henao, Nelson, Osvaldo José Venturini, Emerson Henrique Medina Franco, Electo Eduardo Silva Lora, Helton Fernando Scherer, Diego Mauricio Yepes Maya, and Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior. 2020. "Numerical–Experimental Performance Assessment of a Non-Concentrating Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) Operating in the Southern Hemisphere" Energies 13, no. 10: 2666. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102666

APA Style

Calderón-Henao, N., Venturini, O. J., Franco, E. H. M., Eduardo Silva Lora, E., Scherer, H. F., Maya, D. M. Y., & Ando Junior, O. H. (2020). Numerical–Experimental Performance Assessment of a Non-Concentrating Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) Operating in the Southern Hemisphere. Energies, 13(10), 2666. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102666

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