Hybrid Low-Concentration PV/T with Nano-PCM Cooling and Thermoelectric Energy Recovery

Abstract

This study presents an experimental evaluation of a hybrid low concentration photo voltaic/thermal (LCPV/T) system integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEGs), designed to address photovoltaic thermal degradation under subtropical climatic conditions. The system combines nano enhanced phase change material (PCM) for passive buffering with an active copper tube water loop for cooling, and further incorporates a thermoelectric array for waste heat recovery. Performance was assessed relative to a baseline uncooled photovoltaic module. The results demonstrate that the hybrid cooling configuration reduces the peak PV operating temperature by approximately 13°C compared to the uncooled baseline, while extending PCM melting duration and increasing electrical power output. The integration of the TEG array generates an additional 6 Wof electrical power during peak irradiance, yielding a total system output of 102 W a 95 percent increase over the baseline. Although the TEGs introduce a slight thermal resistance, thesystem achieves a net electrical gain and superior exergy efficiency relative to the cooling only configuration. An optimal coolant flow rate of 0.02 kg/s was identified to balance PV temperature regulation and TEG performance. The integrated LCPV/T TEG system thus achieves significantoverall efficiency enhancement, validating its potential for effective and sustainable energy harvesting in high irradiance subtropical environments.