Performance enhancement in a novel concentrated photovoltaic and liquid-flow thermocells hybrid system through optimal photovoltaic cells

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2024-12, Vol.313, p.133872, Article 133872
• Main Authors: Zhong, Fanghao, Chen, Hongwei, Qu, Ming, Ai, Tianchao, Zhao, Shuqi, Zou, Haoyu, Wei, Xiang, Song, Yangfan, Liu, Zhuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ionic thermoelectric; Liquid-flow thermocells; Optimization; Photovoltaic cells; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133872

Concentrated photovoltaic and liquid-flow thermocells (CPV-LITE) hybrid system is promising for full-spectrum solar utilization by effectively cooling PV and outputting more electricity. However, when using different photovoltaic materials, the performances of CPV and LITE may not be a perfect match due to its intrinsic material properties and manufacturing engineering. Herein, we demonstrated a novel hybrid system coupling LITE and CPV with optimal photovoltaic cells to promote its performance. A three-dimensional photo-thermal-electrical model of CPV-LITE was constructed considering the coupling of PV temperature and concentration ratio, wherein the multi-software collaborative computation was adopted to simplify the solution process. The CPV-LITEs with PV of distinct generation (Mono-Si, α-Si, CdTe, CIGS) were systematically investigated to obtain the optimal PV through thermodynamic and economic analyses. Results showed that among these PV, the Mono-Si presented the highest ηele of 20.0 % at 11 concentration ratios, showing a 1.0 % increase than corresponding CPV-TEG. At the electrolyte flowrate of 0.0752 m/s, the CPV-LITE can reach an optimal Pele of 1.74W for Mono-Si with a lower overall cost of 14.4 % than other PV materials. The LITE was suitable for Mono-Si, while TEG was better for the remains, which can efficiently output more electric energy by harvesting PV waste heat. •An efficient concentrated photovoltaic and liquid-flow thermocells system is proposed.•Efficiency-temperature-concentration ratio map of PV is proposed to assess system.•The optimal PV coupling with LITE is obtained by thermodynamics and economic analyses.•CPV-LITE with Mono-Si shows a lower cost and the highest electric efficiency of 20 %.•The LITE is suitable for Mono-Si, while TEG is better for α-Si, CdTe, CIGS PV cells.