Enhanced nighttime power generation and photovoltaic cooling in photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid systems

In response to the pervasive challenge of limited access to the electric grid for large global populations, standard photovoltaic (PV) cells offer a renewable off-grid electricity source, albeit restricted to daytime solar irradiance. With less than 30% of incoming solar energy converted into electricity, commercial PV cells face efficiency limitations, primarily dissipating the remainder as heat. This study introduces a sustainable, water-passive cooling system designed to alleviate PV cell overheating, presenting a viable strategy for enhancing daytime performance. Integrating a thermoelectric generator (TEG), our developed PV-TEG hybrid system goes beyond conventional solutions by not only mitigating daytime overheating but also unlocking enhanced power generation during nighttime. Achieving a remarkable power density of 0.5 Wm⁻², this system promises practical applications, such as lighting, making it a pivotal advancement in renewable energy utilization. This research not only addresses the limitations of current PV technologies but also pioneers new pathways for sustainable energy harvesting technologies in both on-grid and off-grid scenarios.