3. Thermoelectric Effect
Thermoelectric technology is an alternative method of power
generation. The main building structure is the thermoelectric
module (TEM) that can directly convert heat to electricity. This
phenomenon was first observed by Seebeck [15]. The simple
concept is to apply temperature difference between two terminals
that trigger the generation of small amount of power (Fig. 3).
Alternatively, this thermoelectric module can function as a heat
pump according to Seebeck/Peltier effects. As shown in Fig. 3, two
electrical insulating ceramic plates enclose several p-type and ntype
thermo elements that are electrically connected in series and
thermally parallel with electrical insulation. As TEM is bi-functional
device which can either operate as Heating/Cooling device [16] or
generate power, this portability feature can well be exploited in
BIPV system for cooling PV module and simultaneously generating
extra power [17].