Systems integration of concentrator photovoltaics and thermoelectrics for enhanced energy harvesting

Rolley, Matthew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1217-6447 2018. Systems integration of concentrator photovoltaics and thermoelectrics for enhanced energy harvesting. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

Preview	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (62MB) | Preview
	PDF - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (165kB)

Abstract

Alongside other photovoltaic technologies, Concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) capitalise on the recent progress for high-efficiency III:V based multi-junction photovoltaic cells, combining them with low cost optics for increased power production. Thermoelectrics are semiconductor devices that can act as solid-state heat pumps (Peltier mode) or to generate electrical power from temperature differentials (Seebeck effect). In this work, new designs for the integration of a thermoelectric module within a CPV cell receiver were proposed and substantiated as a reliable and accurate temperature control platform. The thermoelectric was used for accurate and repeatable cooling, exhibiting high temporal-thermal sensitivity. Testing was done under varying irradiance and temperature conditions. A novel Closed Loop Integrated Cooler (CLIC) technique was tested, demonstrated and validated as a useful experimental metrology tool for measuring sub-degree cell temperature within hybrid devices using the material properties of the thermoelectric module. Proof-of-concept circuitry and a LabVIEW based deployment of the technique were designed built and characterised. The technique was able to detect thermal anomalies and fluctuations present when undertaking an I-V curve, something otherwise infeasible with a standard k or t-type thermocouple. A full CPV-TE hybrid module with primary and secondary optical elements (POE-SOE-CPV-TE) was built using a further optimised receiver design and tested on-sun for evaluation under outdoor operation conditions in southern Spain. A unique TE-based “self-soldering” process was investigated to improve manufacture repeatability, reproducibility and minimise thermal resistance. A manually-tracked gyroscopic test rig was designed, built and used to gain valuable outdoor baseline comparison data for a commercially available CPV module and a Heterojunction Intrinsic Thinlayer (HIT) flat plate panel with the POE-SOE-CPV-TE hybrid device. An energetic break-even between the power consumed by the TE and the power gain of the CPV cell from induced temperature change was experimentally measured. This work demonstrated the unique functionalities a thermoelectric device can improve CPV power generation. The potential of a TEM to improve CPV power generation through active cooling was highlighted and quantified.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Photovoltaics; Thermo electrics; Hybrid; Optoelectronics; Renewable Energy; III:V Semiconductors.
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	16 May 2018
Last Modified:	03 Nov 2022 11:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/111496

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item