Outdoor performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules suffers from elevated temperatures. Conversion efficiency losses of up to about
25% can result, depending on the type of integration of the modules in the roof. Cooling of modules would therefore enhance global PV
performance. Instead of module cooling we propose to use the thermal waste by attaching thermoelectric (TE) converters to the back of PV
modules, to form a PV–TE hybrid module. A new approach to thermoelectric power generation using large area pn-junctions is presented.
Thermally generated electron-hole pairs are separated by the built-in potential gradient of the pn-junction. A temperature gradient applied
along this pn-junction causes a flux of both carrier types from the hot to the cold region, which has higher efficiency and lower cost than
convention methods of thermoelectric power generation. The use of thermoelectric devices based on silicon material results in increasing
efficiency of PV cell from 6.8% up to 10.92% at 83oC.