Integration of Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) devices to PV system for improvement in power generation efficiency

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells produce electrical energy by converting solar energy under standard conditions such as operating irradiance, air mass, and temperature. In a solar photovoltaic system, photons strike the PN junction of solar cells resultantly creating a potential difference and if a loa

Project Title

Integration of Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) devices to PV system for improvement in power generation efficiency

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells produce electrical energy by converting solar energy under standard conditions such as operating irradiance, air mass, and temperature. In a solar photovoltaic system, photons strike the PN junction of solar cells resultantly creating a potential difference and if a load is connected to the system, then electricity is fed to the load. Unfortunately, due to the rise in environmental and solar temperature, heat losses occur which results in a reduction in electrical power and efficiency. Heat losses can be utilized to generate electricity by means of installing thermoelectric devices (thermoelectric generators) on the backside of the solar panel which will convert the heat energy into electrical energy (in case of suitable temperature difference). Similarly, thermoelectric coolers can be employed to cool the PV panel as the temperature of the panel’s surface is higher than the atmospheric temperature due to which efficiency of the PV panel decreases. So, integration of TECs causes the surface of the PV panel to cool down which results in increasing the panel’s efficiency. An MPPT (maximum power point tracker) technique is used along with thermoelectrical devices with suitable algorithms in order to achieve maximum power and a boost-buck converter is also used to meet the requirement of output voltages with the load voltages. Thus, integration of all these devices can enhance the overall efficiency of the solar panel.

Project Objectives

• Electric power generation from a renewable source
• Enhancing the efficiency of PV panels by decreasing their heat losses
• Prototype of the hybrid solar thermoelectric system
• Solving the problem of the power industry (renewable)
• By increasing the efficiency of solar panels decreasing the cost of installing the system (as less number of panels would be able to deliver more energy as compared to more number of panels)

Project Implementation Method

With the help of the Photoelectric effect, the solar panel will generate power. On its backside, Thermoelectric Cooler’s (TEC) cold side is attached to the PV array which will cool it down. When the temperature rises from 25 degrees the efficiency of the PV array decreases so the TEC will be turned on and will cool the PV array. Another module called Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) has two sides hot one and a cold one will be attached to TEC’s hot side. On the Cold side of TEG, the heat sink is attached. This will create a temperature difference so due to this change in temperature across TEG module Power will be generated. We will analyze the parallel & series connection of numbers of TEC and TEG. By graphical data, we will go for optimal numbers of their combinations. This generated power will be effectively used with the help of MPPT. Microcontroller-based mppt will be made and will be tested under 3 techniques. Perturbed and Observe, Incremental & fuzzy logic. So the optimal technique will be implemented in hardware.

Benefits of the Project

• A decrease in efficiency due to an increase in temperature can be maintained.
• The durability of the Solar panel will be enhanced as excess heat will not damage the PV cells. Because the TEC will make them cool down.
• With the help, TEG module power will be generated. So overall power will be increased.
• Delivering maximum power to the load with the help of mppt.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

1. Jasco Monocrystalline 165W-12V PV array

2. Thermoelectric Generator(TEG)  SP1848-271455SA

3. Peltier Module (TEC) 12706

4. MPPT (Force Company)

5. Controller (Arduino Uno)

6. Battery (Atlas 12V GR95 75AH)

7. Temperature Sensors

8. Wires 14 Guage

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com