Performance evaluation of a solar thermoelectric generator with optical concentration under real operating conditions

Abstract

Every day, the sun emits a large amount of light energy. This energy is converted into heat and then electricity using solar thermoelectric generators (STEG). In this article, we have simulated a solar thermoelectric generator (TEC-12706) with real conditions in our laboratory. We have calculated the electric current, the voltage and the output power. To validate the simulation results, we carried out experimental studies to assess the effects of solar radiation concentration (optics) on the performance of the STEG. We measured the temperatures of the hot and cold sides, the electric current and the output voltage using an appropriate electronic circuit. We found that for optical concentration ratios 40, 30 and 20, the maximum temperatures on the hot side are 66.5, 54 and 44.75°C, respectively. Under these conditions the maximum powers obtained are 0.04147, 0.01884 and 0.00832 W with external load resistances of 2.42342, 2.14555 and 2.16696 Ω . Simulation of the STEG considered with the values of those obtained from experience gave the following maximum output powers 0.130088, 0.061466 and 0.031803 W for the same external load resistances. The differences between the experimental and simulation results may be due to the unknown properties of the materials used in the module.