Experimental investigation of the use of thermoelectric on a photovoltaic/thermal system to increase efficiency and heat transfer

Document Type : Research Article

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Semnan university

Abstract

Due to global problems such as increasing energy costs, environmental pollution and global warming, the use of renewable energies such as solar energy has gained special importance. Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems with the ability to simultaneously produce electricity and heat are an efficient way to use solar energy. This paper investigated the performance of a standalone photovoltaic/thermal system and a combination with thermoelectric generator (TEG) module’s, heat well and fan at different mass flow rates of 100, 200 and 300 cm3/min under the climatic conditions of Semnan, Iran. The results showed that the maximum power output for the photovoltaic/thermal system at three different mass flow rates was about 78.2 W, 78.7 W and 9.7 W, respectively, and with thermoelectric module’s was 79.1 W, 78.81 W and 4.84 W, respectively. The maximum thermal efficiency for the photovoltaic/thermal system at a flow rate of 100 cm3/min was 31.9 % and the electrical efficiency at a flow rate of 300 cm3/min was 14.1 %, and with thermoelectric module’s it was 27.3 % and 14.9 %, respectively. The Nusselt number also improved by an average of 28.6 % at three different flow rates compared to the standalone system. This improvement in efficiency and heat transfer provides a bright prospect for the application of these systems in buildings and commercial spaces to provide simultaneous power and heating.

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 57, Issue 6
September 2025
Pages 685-708

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