Analytical Modeling of the Thermoelectric Effect in Photovoltaic Cells: Combined Solar Photovoltaic and Thermoelectric Generator System (PV+TEG)

Aims: Analytical modeling of the combined systems photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV + TEG). The advantage
of these systems is double:
- On the one hand, they allow to cool the photovoltaic cells (PV), which avoids the loss of electrical
efficiency observed in the devices,
- On the other hand, recover this lost energy in the form of heat, and transform it into electrical energy
thanks to the thermoelectric modules operating in Seebeck mode.
Study Design: Laboratory of Radiation Physics LPR, FAST-UAC, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, Benin. Department of
Physics (FAST) and Doctoral Formation Materials Science (FDSM), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
Methodology: We considered the temperature distribution in the semiconductor plate of the Thermoelectric
Generator System (TEG). We resolved the thermal conductivity equation described by Where �� is the thermal diffusivity, Q(x, y, z) is the heat flow going from the PV to the TEG module which is
dissipated through the latter; using constants variation method. We assumed that the temperature along the yaxis
is considered uniform.
Results: The results obtained show that, the temperature distribution in the form of a traveling wave is
maintained by external heating. This depends on both the hot and cold side temperature and the temperature
span.
Conclusion: The heat flux available at the hot side of the TEG is assumed to be what remains of the absorbed
radiation of the PV power production.