A Novel Pv Driven Island Dual-Functional Power Generation and Atmospheric Water Harvesting System Combined with Teg and Mof

Abstract

Ensuring reliable electricity and freshwater supply is vital for island regions. Solar PV systems can meet off-grid electricity needs, while atmospheric water harvesting offers a promising freshwater solution in humid island climates. MOFs, known for their high-water uptake, are ideal for this purpose but require significant energy for regeneration. This challenge can be addressed by using the thermal energy generated by PV systems. Herein, we introduce a novel hybrid system that synergistically integrates PV panels, TEGs, and a high-performance MOFs, enabling concurrent solar energy harvesting, continuous electricity generation and freshwater production. We synthesized high performance MOFs, achieving an exceptional water uptake of 1.041 g/g at 25 °C. Upon integration with aluminum fin arrays, the MIL 101(Cr)/Fin composite exhibited a thermal conductivity of 45.82 W/m·K, with a 300-fold increase. A prototype PV–TEG–MOF device was designed, assembled and performance investigated under constant solar irradiation and outdoor conditions, respectively. The device produces average PV power of 130 W/m² and TE power of 3.34 W/m², and also attained a water production rate of 100 mL/(kg·h) under solar irradiation of 1000W/m2. Under outdoor condition, the device yielded an average PV power of 48 W/m² in daytime, TEG power of 1.74 and 1.58 W/m² in daytime and nighttime, respectively, and also a cumulative daily water yield of 240 mL/m². Based on the established system model, applied in Hainan Island, the system can generate 120 W/m² of electrical energy, and yield 66 mL/(h·m²) of freshwater. Scaling the hybrid array to 1,000 m² satisfies the daily electricity and potable water demands of approximately 300 inhabitants.

Keywords: MOFs, PV, Electrical generation, Thermoelectric power generation, Atmospheric water harvesting