Modeling and Simulation of High-Performance Solar Thermoelectric Generator

Abstract

A new and optimum design of a STEG has been developed for attaining an increased efficiency of 21.6%. The new design consists of three cascaded thermoelectric materials. In addition, it includes two glass panes, a selective solar absorber, two radiation shields, and forced air cooling system. The design is modeled theoretically and numerically using ANSYS software. Nomenclature: Area of the absorber (Aa); The cross-sectional area of the thermoelectric elements (Ae); Cross sectional area of thermoelement (Ap, An); Optical concentration (Copt); Thermal concentration (Cth); Direct current (DC); Thermal conductivity (W/mk) (k); Thermal Conductivity for p-type and n-type (Kp, Kn); Leg length (L); Number of thermocouples (n); Heat flux (q); Rate of heat liberated at the cold junction (Qc); Rate of heat absorbed at the hot junction (Qb); Internal electrical resistance (R); Load resistance (RL); Internal electrical resistance for p-type and n-type (Rp, Rn); Solar thermoelectric generator (STEG); Thermoelectric generator (Teg); Voltage (V); Power output (W); Figure of merit with unit of (1/k) (Z); Seebeck coefficient with unit of (μV/K) (Α); Absorptivity (Αa); Junction temperatures (Th,c,1,2,3,4); Emissivity (E); Stefan constant (σ); Transmissivity of the glass (Τg); Thomson coefficient (τ); Electrical resistivity (Ω cm) (ρ)