2. System configuration
For purpose of power generation, TEG is attached to the rear side of PV panel. Temperature difference between panel and ambient provides opportunity for TEG to operate in generator mode. Heat is utilized in TEG which otherwise would have got rejected into the environment as a waste heat. A virtual heat pump thus created allows lowering the temperature of PV panel which in turn enhances the efficiency of PV panel, since the efficiency is inversely proportional to PV panel temperature. Heat sink embodying TEG on both sides for facilitating heat transfer process is shown in Fig. 1. Thermoelectric module is composed of P-type and N-type thermo elements that are connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel between the ceramic plates.