Investigation of the thermoelectric effect on photovoltaic module efficiency

With the ongoing technological advancements worldwide, the demand for energy continues to rise exponentially. This increasing energy demand is predominantly met through fossil fuels. However, as awareness of environmental impacts and climate change grows, there has been a significant shift toward renewable energy sources. Among these sources, solar energy stands as one of the most widely utilized. Photovoltaic systems are designed to convert solar energy into usable electrical power. The fundamental component of these systems is the photovoltaic panel, which absorbs sunlight and converts it into electrical energy. The efficiency of photovoltaic systems is highly dependent on the performance of the panels, with surface temperature being one of the most critical factors influencing their efficiency. As the surface temperature of the panels increases, their efficiency tends to decrease. Consequently, various cooling methods have been developed to enhance the efficiency of these panels. In this study, the cooling performance of a thermoelectric module was investigated by observing the temperature variations on the surface of photovoltaic panels. Accordingly, the efficiencies of the photovoltaic panels were compared. Additionally, experiments were conducted on water-based cooling methods, and the effects of water cooling on panel efficiency were examined in comparison to thermoelectric cooling.