5. Conclusion

Thermoelectric cooling (TEC) is one of the specialized areas in "Thermoelectrics." This chapter has presented the summary of energy balance model parameters representing various performance characteristics of building-integrated thermoelectric cooling-photovoltaic (TEC-PV) devices. The cooling performance of thermoelectric modules for air-conditioning applications is a sustainable technology though not competitive with conventional vapor compression technology. There is significant growing interest level in thermoelectric cooling (TEC) because of their useful control aspects. This is because TEC modules are readily operated at partial load by changing the electric current. Moreover, there is increase in cooling COP with reduction of cooling power. Modular capability is the key merit of thermoelectric cooling (TEC) devices. These devices do not generate noise, thus are of considerable interest in many building applications in which noise is a significant factor. Furthermore, key advantage is the operation of thermoelectric cooling (TEC) devices without requirement of polluting refrigerants.

Air-conditioning of fresh outdoor air for direct indoor use through proper system design of supply air ventilation system and exhaust air ventilation system is another key benefit of thermoelectric cooling (TEC). In addition, photovoltaic (PV) roof-top power generation and photovoltaic (PV) ventilated façade are integrated into the system design, thus making it further sustainably sound in terms of input electricity requirements through green power and active ventilation system for supply and exhaust air. Finally, thermoelectric modules (TEM) offer air-conditioning solutions with flexible electrical loads in contemporary context of smart energy systems for buildings. Thermoelectric modules (TEM) have best advantage of their reversible operation as heating and cooling devices obtained by changing the direction of electric current. The future work comprises of advanced modeling and simulation of the presented prototype through thermoelectric modules (TEMs) operation as heating and cooling devices powered by photovoltaic modules.
