The aim of this paper was to conduct lab-scale investigation of a new roof design concept termed "the thermoelectric roof solar collector (TE-RSC)" for power generation using solar energy. The TE-RSC was composed of a transparent acrylic sheet, air gap, a copper plate, thermoelectric modules and a rectangular fin heat sink. The incident solar radiation heats up the copper plate so that a temperature difference is created between the TE module that generates a direct current. This current generated was used to run a fan for cooling the TE modules. The TE-RSC surface area was 0.0525 m(2) and 10 thermoelectric cooling modules (Tianjin Lantian model TEC1-12708) were used. Investigations were done by varying solar 2 radiation, simulated by using a halogen lamp, between 400 and 1000 W/m(2). It was found that this new roof design can generate about 1.2 W under solar radiation intensity of about 800 W/m(2) at ambient temperature varying between 30 and 35 degreesC. The corresponding air velocity generated by the ventilation fan was about 1.7 m/s. Therefore, the proposed TE-RSC concept seems to be an interesting new alternative for various purposes such as power generation in remote areas, roof heat gain reduction and indoor ventilation of spaces. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.