Performance Analysis and Optimization of Insulation Layers on a Novel Pv-Mchp-Teg System

Abstract

Conventional photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator (PV-TEG) system suffered from heat transfer losses during electricity generation process throughout the year, as well as environmental effects due to expose to the weather. In order to solve these problems, a novel structure integrated with insulation layers for year-round day and night power generation, consisting of photovoltaic (PV), microchannel heat pipe (MCHP) and thermoelectric generator (TEG), named PV-MCHP-TEG system was proposed. First, the effect of insulation layers during heat transfer process was analyzed and optimized in this study. Then, the important factors, that were multi-factorial effects of different location sides, thicknesses and insulation materials, on the efficiency of the TEG in the whole year including typical days were studied by SIMULINK software. Finally the parameters of insulation layers were optimized and obtained for this new structure. The results showed that the improved system integrated with Polyisocyanurate Foam (PIR) insulation material on external surface wall could generate 373.85 kWh electricity per year with a electricity efficiency of 19.32%. The TEG electricity efficiency of PV-TEG system with PIR insulation reached 2.85%, which was 1.56% higher than that of PV-TEG system without insulation. Therefore, the system had a better performance after heat transfer process optimized by insulation layers.

Keywords: Photovoltaic-thermoelectric, Microchannel heat pipe, Insulation materials, Thickness optimization, Three-way valve