5. Conclusions

In this chapter we have shown that, if we consider the power consumption of the thermoelectric modules, the general energy balance for the whole hybrid PV+TEC system results in a higher energy consumption than energy generation for most systems. Additionally, the exergy analysis shows that for this system there will always be exergy loss, rendering the feasibility of the hybrid PV+TEC system impossible.

Also, the conditions for minimum exergy loss have been determined for diverse types of PV panels, while using thermoelectric cooling modules to decrease temperature. These temperature ranges can be considered as the optimal working conditions, and they all differ from the lowest temperature analyzed for CIGS, a-Si, and c-Si, meaning that reducing the system all the way to ambient temperature (Tamb) is not necessarily the best energetic option for the hybrid systems. It is to be noted that this temperature ranges of minimum exergy loss are held within realistic parameters that can be obtained for the system.

We have concluded from these simulation results that the PV+TEC hybrid system is not a viable self-sustaining system. Even though the self-sustenance of the hybrid PV+TEC system is inviable, the conditions for minimum exergy loss allow us to determine the best performance of the system. These optimal operational conditions can be observed from the obtained results, with minimum exergy losses, that can be useful in future studies.

Although the results show that hybrid PV + TEC systems are inviable, thermoelectric technology has a wide range of impact from electronics and telecommunications to medical equipment. Mostly employed for temperature control of critical parts and components of different lathes and machines; as a cooling method it is precise and reliable technology, with a fluid free compact design requiring only current and voltage for its operation which are easily regulated.

This work shows that a more detailed analysis must be included for the realistic implementation of thermoelectric cooling in photovoltaics. Most works have been realized considering thermoelectric generating (TEG) modules, and just a few around TECs, where an obvious lack of attention has come to the power consumed by the TECs.
