Open Access

ARTICLE

Fabrication and Simulation of TE Modules for a Feasibility Study on Harvesting Solar Heat Energy from Roof Tiles

by Sakorn Inthachai¹, Supasit Paengson², Jindaporn Jamradloedluk^1,*, Tosawat Seetawan^2,*

1 Solar Energy and Energy Resources Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering, Mahasrakham University, Khamriang, 44150, Thailand
2 Program of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thermoelectric Research Laboratory, Center of Excellence on Alternative Energy, Research and Development Institution, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand

* Corresponding Authors: Jindaporn Jamradloedluk. Email: ; Tosawat Seetawan. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: New Trends in Sustainable Materials for Energy Conversion, CO₂ Capture and Pollution Control)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2021, 9(10), 1685-1697. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2021.015553

Received 26 December 2020; Accepted 26 February 2021; Issue published 12 May 2021

Abstract

A novel roof tile thermoelectric generator (RT-TEG) was used to harvest electrical energy from a solar heat source. The RT-TEG was fabricated and simulated by flat and curved thermoelectric modules consisting of p-n junctions of p-Sb₂Te₃ and n-Bi₂Te₃, with an Al₂O₃ substrate at the top and bottom for heat absorption and heat rejection. The RT-TEG was installed in a roof tile to act as a generator. The electrical voltage and power values of the curved thermoelectric modules were higher than those of the flat thermoelectric module by 0.44 V and 80 mW, at a temperature difference (ΔT) of 100 K. In field tests, the RT-TEG produced a maximum electrical voltage of 33.70 mV and an electrical power of 46.24 μW at ΔT~7 K under a load resistance of 1 Ω under good sunshine at 13.00 hours. The energy conversion efficiency of RT-TEG was found to be 2.24 × 10⁻⁴.

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