Wide spectrum solar energy harvesting through an integrated photovoltaic and thermoelectric system--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Li, Y., Witharana, S., Cao, H., Lasfargues, M., Huang, Y., & Ding, Y. (2014). Wide spectrum solar energy harvesting through an integrated photovoltaic and thermoelectric system. Particuology, 15, 39–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2013.08.003

Wide spectrum solar energy harvesting through an integrated photovoltaic and thermoelectric system

Yongliang Li ^a *, Sanjeeva Witharana ^a, Hui Cao ^a, Mathieu Lasfargues ^a, Yun Huang ^b, Yulong Ding ^{a b c}

a Institute of Particle Science and Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
b Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
c School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

10.1016/j.partic.2013.08.003

Volume 15, August 2014, Pages 39-44

Received 3 January 2013, Revised 29 July 2013, Accepted 12 August 2013, Available online 1 November 2013.

E-mail: y.l.li@leeds.ac.uk; yongliang.li@hotmail.co.uk

Highlights

• Spectrum beam splitting enables utilization of solar radiation in PV cell and TE generator.

• High-grade cold storage for super-cooling PV cell and TE generator (cold side) at peak load time.

• A 30% improvement of power output can be achieved by adding high-grade cold energy storage system.

Abstract

This paper proposes a power system concept that integrates photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) technologies to harvest solar energy from a wide spectral range. By introduction of the ‘spectrum beam splitting’ technique, short wavelength solar radiation is converted directly into electricity in the PV cells, while the long wavelength segment of the spectrum is used to produce moderate to high temperature thermal energy, which then generates electricity in the TE device. To overcome the intermittent nature of solar radiation, the system is also coupled to a thermal energy storage unit. A systematic analysis of the integrated system is carried out, encompassing the system configuration, material properties, thermal management, and energy storage aspects. We have also attempted to optimize the integrated system. The results indicate that the system configuration and optimization are the most important factors for high overall efficiency.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Solar power; Photovoltaic panel; Spectrum beam splitting; Thermoelectric generator; Energy storage

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