Energy Sources Part A-recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects, Vol.33, No.8, 760-767, 2011
Numerical Simulation of a Solar Thermoelectric Generator
In this study, the thermal and electrical modeling of a solar thermoelectric generator has been done. One side of the thermoelectric module was heated with the radiation concentrated by a parabolic collector, and the other side was cooled by water at a constant temperature. Thermal and electrical behaviors of the concentrator, receiver, and thermoelectric module were included in the model as well as the heat losses. For different radiation intensity and concentration ratios, surface temperatures, heat values, electric power produced, and the system's efficiency were calculated and presented. As was expected, surface temperature difference was increased by radiation intensity, leading to an increase in the electric power output and thermal efficiency. The upper limit of the concentration ratio at which the thermoelectric module can bare the produced temperature was determined.
Keywords:modelling;solar concentrator;solar energy;solar thermoelectric generator;thermoelectric generator