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Artificial heated module test

A project log for Hybrid Thermoelectric Solar Cell

Novel power harvesting module integrates the energy harvesting abilities of a thermoelectric generator with a solar cell to maximize output

neelNeel 07/16/2018 at 05:470 Comments

Well the particle stopped working so I can't do testing throughout the day.  I redesigned the chamber so it has an internal air pocket in the walls similar to a yeti. What I need to figure out is how I can fit reflective walls into the internals of the walls for great insulation.

I tested it artificially by attaching a blower onto a clamp. I used a laser thermometer gun to keep tabs on the outer surface of the solar panel. This setup was four TEG modules with four heat sinks placed into the water chamber. i didn't want to permanently glue the solar cell to the TEG modules so I had them in contact with each other.

Surprisingly and sadly the voltage measure was only .1-.3 volts! After removing the solar panel I found out that the TEG was still cool to touch. Apparently a touching contact was not good enough to set up a temperature difference.

I then wanted to make sure we can set up a temperature difference for atleast a half hour. The water I measured to be 70 degrees so I decided to heat up the TEG itself to 90 degrees.

Surprisingly the modules produce 3.4 volts for a good half hour.

The conclusions were that theoretically one could generate extra voltage from the TEG when attached to the solar panel to help power a device!

The problem is seems is that the contact between the solar panel and TEG needs to be very conductive. 


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