+
Scientists develop system to recover waste heat from PV Units
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Scientists develop system to recover waste heat from PV Units

A thermally-coupled electrically-separated hybrid thermoelectric, photovoltaic system (HTEPV)-based device based on a thermoelectric generator and a wide-gap perovskite solar cell has been fabricated by scientists from the University of Milano-Bicocca, University of Rome Tor Vergata, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The device allegedly recovers waste heat from the PV unit and generates additional power.

Due to their high efficiency and low cost, silicon solar cells dominate the PV market. However, they are sensitive to temperature, which can result in significant energy losses throughout a solar panel's lifetime. Temperature changes can cause them to lose up to 20% of their room temperature efficiency. Hybridization with thermoelectric generators (TEGs) has recently gotten a lot of attention.

TEG can recover heat lost from solar cells in HTEPV systems to generate additional power and improve the overall device output power and efficiency.

Many studies and reviews have been conducted on HTEPV systems. However, opinions on how effective they are have been mixed. HTEPV systems have been described as both convenient and ineffective in terms of increasing PV efficiency.

For the experiment, the researchers used three different types of solar cells: perovskite, gallium indium phosphide (GaInP), and amorphous silicon (a-Si).

A customised bismuth telluride TEG hot plate with a surface area of 1 cm² is placed in thermal contact with a perovskite solar cell's back using a layer of Silicone-free thermal grease. Thermally, the two units are connected, but electrically, they are not. The vacuum chamber bottom was attached to the TEG cold side with thermal grease. For the final hybrid device, a K-type thermocouple was used to regulate the temperature. The temperature of the chamber bottom was controlled by a dissipation liquid circuit that was fed by a temperature-adjustable chiller.

A layer of thermal grease was used to connect the solar cells to the TEG top electrode, and a K thermocouple was placed between the hot electrode and the solar cell bottom. A Keithley 2440 source metre was used to record the J-V curves, which was controlled by a LabView programme.

To determine the effect of optical concentration on temperature sensitivity, the researchers characterised all three cells between 1 and 5 Suns. The incoming power of the solar simulator was continuously measured and adjusted using a certified reference silicon solar cell. To accurately evaluate incoming power density, a stainless-steel mask with known areas was used.

In comparison to a-Si and GaInP, perovskites showed efficiency gains of more than 2% at all-optical concentrations, namely 2.64% at 337.43 K, 2.90% at 340.59 K, and 3.05% at 343.13 K. At moderate temperatures of around 340 K, maximum efficiency gains were achieved.

This temperature is well within the range of temperatures commonly experienced by solar panels, implying that complex thermal management strategies are not required. As a result, the HTEPV device is directly comparable to and compatible with real solar cells in this case.

These improvements were then experimentally confirmed in the case of perovskites solar cells, with the highest gains occurring at conventional PVs normal operating temperatures. This experiment accurately demonstrated the thermoelectric hybridisation of solar cells' true potential.

Image Source


Also read: BHEL floats tender for supplying multicrystalline solar modules

A thermally-coupled electrically-separated hybrid thermoelectric, photovoltaic system (HTEPV)-based device based on a thermoelectric generator and a wide-gap perovskite solar cell has been fabricated by scientists from the University of Milano-Bicocca, University of Rome Tor Vergata, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The device allegedly recovers waste heat from the PV unit and generates additional power. Due to their high efficiency and low cost, silicon solar cells dominate the PV market. However, they are sensitive to temperature, which can result in significant energy losses throughout a solar panel's lifetime. Temperature changes can cause them to lose up to 20% of their room temperature efficiency. Hybridization with thermoelectric generators (TEGs) has recently gotten a lot of attention. TEG can recover heat lost from solar cells in HTEPV systems to generate additional power and improve the overall device output power and efficiency. Many studies and reviews have been conducted on HTEPV systems. However, opinions on how effective they are have been mixed. HTEPV systems have been described as both convenient and ineffective in terms of increasing PV efficiency. For the experiment, the researchers used three different types of solar cells: perovskite, gallium indium phosphide (GaInP), and amorphous silicon (a-Si). A customised bismuth telluride TEG hot plate with a surface area of 1 cm² is placed in thermal contact with a perovskite solar cell's back using a layer of Silicone-free thermal grease. Thermally, the two units are connected, but electrically, they are not. The vacuum chamber bottom was attached to the TEG cold side with thermal grease. For the final hybrid device, a K-type thermocouple was used to regulate the temperature. The temperature of the chamber bottom was controlled by a dissipation liquid circuit that was fed by a temperature-adjustable chiller. A layer of thermal grease was used to connect the solar cells to the TEG top electrode, and a K thermocouple was placed between the hot electrode and the solar cell bottom. A Keithley 2440 source metre was used to record the J-V curves, which was controlled by a LabView programme. To determine the effect of optical concentration on temperature sensitivity, the researchers characterised all three cells between 1 and 5 Suns. The incoming power of the solar simulator was continuously measured and adjusted using a certified reference silicon solar cell. To accurately evaluate incoming power density, a stainless-steel mask with known areas was used. In comparison to a-Si and GaInP, perovskites showed efficiency gains of more than 2% at all-optical concentrations, namely 2.64% at 337.43 K, 2.90% at 340.59 K, and 3.05% at 343.13 K. At moderate temperatures of around 340 K, maximum efficiency gains were achieved. This temperature is well within the range of temperatures commonly experienced by solar panels, implying that complex thermal management strategies are not required. As a result, the HTEPV device is directly comparable to and compatible with real solar cells in this case. These improvements were then experimentally confirmed in the case of perovskites solar cells, with the highest gains occurring at conventional PVs normal operating temperatures. This experiment accurately demonstrated the thermoelectric hybridisation of solar cells' true potential. Image Source Also read: BHEL floats tender for supplying multicrystalline solar modules

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

MCX Launches Electricity Futures to Broaden Commodities Portfolio

Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), India’s leading commodity derivatives exchange and the world’s largest commodity options exchange (FIA, 2024), has announced the launch of its Electricity Futures Contract, effective Thursday, 10 July 2025. The launch follows SEBI’s approval granted in June 2025 and marks a key milestone in India’s energy derivatives landscape.With electricity demand rising and price volatility influenced by seasonal trends, fuel costs, and market fluctuations, the new contract is designed to offer a robust risk management tool to power producers, distribution c..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

PIGL Secures Fifth Udaipur Airport Contract, Total Hits Rs 560.36 Mn

Power & Instrumentation (Gujarat) has secured its fifth work order from Nyati Engineering & Construction for the ongoing development of the Udaipur Air Terminal in Rajasthan. The latest contract, valued at Rs 20.59 million, brings the cumulative order value for this project to Rs 560.36 million.The new scope of work includes the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of ELV raceways and cable tray systems. Scheduled for completion within six months from the contract’s effective date, the project underscores PIGL’s ability to deliver complex electrical infrastructu..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Edelweiss Financial Services Launches Rs 3,000 Million NCD Public Issue

Edelweiss Financial Services (EFSL) has announced a public issue of Secured Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) with a total issue size of up to Rs 3,000 million. The issue comprises a base size of Rs 1,500 million with a green shoe option of an additional Rs 1,500 million.The NCDs, with a face value of Rs 1,000 each, will be offered in 12 series with tenures of 24, 36, 60, and 120 months. Investors can choose from annual, monthly, or cumulative interest options. The effective annual yield ranges from 9.00 per cent to 10.49 per cent.The public issue will open on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?