Performance analysis and optimization of phase change material photovoltaic/thermoelectric hybrid system based on dual thermal channel

Photovoltaic cells are cooled by PCM and TEG to obtain better power generation performance. However, the thermal buildup of the PCM limits the power generation of the system. A photovoltaic phase change material hybrid thermoelectric power generation (PV/2T-PCM-TEG) system based on dual thermal channel is proposed by installing thermal channels in the PCM layer and the TEG layer. In this study, a numerical model of the hybrid system is established, the validity of the model is verified through experiments, and the thermoelectric performance of the hybrid system is analyzed. The effects of the inlet velocity and inlet temperature of the dual thermal channel on the thermoelectric performance of the system were also investigated. The results show that the average maximum temperature of PV is only 317.39 K, the average PV efficiency can reach 15.03%, the average power generation per unit area is 84.16 W/m2, and the average heating power is 139.57 W/m2. The increase of the inlet velocity of the dual thermal channel and the decrease of the inlet temperature enhance the overall performance of the system. The inlet velocity and inlet temperature of the TEG layer have a greater effect on the average total generation power, while it is the inlet velocity and inlet temperature of the PCM layer that have a greater effect on the average total thermal power. This study serves as a guide for the subsequent optimization and practical application of the system.