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 n-type 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].