Investigating the power and efficiency of the 3D model of the concentrated photovoltaic thermoelectric hybrid system and estimating the power consumption of the water pump for cooling.

Solar energy is one of the most useful types of renewable energy. Solar cells are being used to convert solar energy into electricity. By focusing the radiation on the cells, more energy is radiated in a smaller area of the cell which is called concentrated photovoltaic (CPV). Due to the concentration of radiation, the temperature of the cell rises which can be converted into electricity through thermoelectric generators (TEG). The present study is a hybrid system of solar cell, thermoelectric generator, and heat exchanger (CPV-TEG). By this survey being created, it was revealed that the combined power produced by the CPV-TEG reaches its maximum value at concentration ratio of 40. This increase continues with the increase in fluid flow rate. however, according to the power consumption of the pump, it was observed that in all types of heat exchangers, an increase in flow rate of more than 8 liters per hour reduces the output power of the system. The replacement of the secondary heat exchanger with the primary one illustrated that the increase of the channels in the exchanger, despite the increase in the power consumption of the pump, causes a very small increase in the output power and efficiency of the system. Moreover, replacing the tertiary heat exchanger instead of the secondary exchanger showed that changing the direction of fluid output increases the power consumption of the pump in high flow rates. • The effect of the thermoelectric generator on the optimal use of excess heat to regenerate electricity. • The effect of various concentration ratio on changes in system power and efficiency. • The effect of changing the volumetric flow rate of the heat exchanger fluid in the thermal management of the system and increasing the power and efficiency of the system. • The effect of the water pressure drop inside the heat exchanger on increasing the power consumption of the pump and reducing the output power of the system. • The effect of changing the size and number of heat exchanger channels on increasing pump power consumption and reducing system output power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]