Similarity Between Photovoltaic and Thermoelectric Generator Equivalent Circuits

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that when thermal part of thermoelectric generator (TEG) is reflected to electric load side, resulting circuit is similar to low frequency equivalent of photovoltaic (PV) generator. Derivation of equivalent circuit is presented and verified in simulation of example system. It may then be concluded that ambient energy sources exhibit similar characteristics even when different energy types are examined. Parallels can then be drawn between the two energy sources and known PV control methodologies can be utilized in TEG applications.