Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution
Food security is a pressing global issue, prompting the search for sustainable agricultural solutions. Agricultural greenhouses present a viable option by providing controlled environments for crop cultivation. This research focuses on enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems in gree...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118482/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118482/1/118482.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848867762700550144 |
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| author | Mohd Ariffin, Mohd Ruzaimi |
| author_facet | Mohd Ariffin, Mohd Ruzaimi |
| author_sort | Mohd Ariffin, Mohd Ruzaimi |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Food security is a pressing global issue, prompting the search for sustainable
agricultural solutions. Agricultural greenhouses present a viable option by
providing controlled environments for crop cultivation. This research focuses
on enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems in greenhouse
applications through the integration of thermoelectric generators (TEG). The
main goal is to convert residual heat from PV panels into additional electricity
using TEGs, thereby optimizing energy utilization. The study tackles critical
challenges in greenhouse energy management, such as high energy
consumption, excessive solar radiation, and the limitations of conventional PV
systems. A hybrid PV-TEG system was developed to capitalize on the
temperature difference between the heated surface of solar panels and a
controlled cooling mechanism where circulating aquaponic water used as a
liquid cooler to enhance power generation. The methodology involved
designing a small-scale PV greenhouse system, analyzing the temperature
distribution across the PV panels, and developing a power logger for real-time
performance monitoring. Feasibility and temperature distribution analyses
were conducted through both experimental setups and simulations to optimize
the positioning and orientation of TEG modules. In a PV-TEG hybrid system,
the temperature distribution significantly affects the performance of both PV
panels and TEG modules. Non-uniform temperature distribution can lead to
uneven heating, creating "hot spots" that reduce the overall efficiency of the
PV panels. Conversely, a uniform temperature distribution helps maintain
consistent performance across the panel, minimizing thermal stress and
enhancing efficiency and lifespan. Similarly, TEG performance is adversely
impacted by non-uniform temperatures, as they generate power based on
temperature differentials; cooler areas on the PV panel can lead to suboptimal
TEG operation, reducing overall system efficiency. Achieving uniform
temperature distribution ensures TEGs are consistently exposed to a reliable
heat source, maximizing energy conversion capabilities. To achieve this in this
study, the PV panels were installed at an optimal tilt angle of 3° facing South,
maximizing solar exposure at average direct normal irradiance of 314.9 W/m2
in Serdang, Malaysia. The hybrid system demonstrated significant energy
efficiency improvements, with a 33% reduction in power loss due to
temperature mismatches across TEG modules. Strategies employed included
selecting the highest performance TEG cell models, implementing controlled
thermal management through liquid cooling systems, optimizing TEG
placement based on temperature analysis, and designing effective heat sinks.
This study also introduces a novel analytical model for PV-TEG integration,
the PV-TEG Integrated Module (PV-TEGIM), aimed at optimizing heat
distribution and passive cooling techniques. The power output of the PV-TEG
hybrid system increased with solar radiation, peaking at 31.05 W at noon. The
total electrical energy output of the hybrid system was 31% greater than that
of a standalone 100 Wp photovoltaic panel. The findings suggest that this
hybrid system can reduce energy consumption in greenhouse applications,
lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a sustainable energy solution
for agricultural production. Future work should focus on expanding the system
for larger-scale applications and investigating advanced materials to enhance
performance further. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:41:39Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | upm-118482 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:41:39Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1184822025-08-04T07:54:42Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118482/ Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution Mohd Ariffin, Mohd Ruzaimi Food security is a pressing global issue, prompting the search for sustainable agricultural solutions. Agricultural greenhouses present a viable option by providing controlled environments for crop cultivation. This research focuses on enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems in greenhouse applications through the integration of thermoelectric generators (TEG). The main goal is to convert residual heat from PV panels into additional electricity using TEGs, thereby optimizing energy utilization. The study tackles critical challenges in greenhouse energy management, such as high energy consumption, excessive solar radiation, and the limitations of conventional PV systems. A hybrid PV-TEG system was developed to capitalize on the temperature difference between the heated surface of solar panels and a controlled cooling mechanism where circulating aquaponic water used as a liquid cooler to enhance power generation. The methodology involved designing a small-scale PV greenhouse system, analyzing the temperature distribution across the PV panels, and developing a power logger for real-time performance monitoring. Feasibility and temperature distribution analyses were conducted through both experimental setups and simulations to optimize the positioning and orientation of TEG modules. In a PV-TEG hybrid system, the temperature distribution significantly affects the performance of both PV panels and TEG modules. Non-uniform temperature distribution can lead to uneven heating, creating "hot spots" that reduce the overall efficiency of the PV panels. Conversely, a uniform temperature distribution helps maintain consistent performance across the panel, minimizing thermal stress and enhancing efficiency and lifespan. Similarly, TEG performance is adversely impacted by non-uniform temperatures, as they generate power based on temperature differentials; cooler areas on the PV panel can lead to suboptimal TEG operation, reducing overall system efficiency. Achieving uniform temperature distribution ensures TEGs are consistently exposed to a reliable heat source, maximizing energy conversion capabilities. To achieve this in this study, the PV panels were installed at an optimal tilt angle of 3° facing South, maximizing solar exposure at average direct normal irradiance of 314.9 W/m2 in Serdang, Malaysia. The hybrid system demonstrated significant energy efficiency improvements, with a 33% reduction in power loss due to temperature mismatches across TEG modules. Strategies employed included selecting the highest performance TEG cell models, implementing controlled thermal management through liquid cooling systems, optimizing TEG placement based on temperature analysis, and designing effective heat sinks. This study also introduces a novel analytical model for PV-TEG integration, the PV-TEG Integrated Module (PV-TEGIM), aimed at optimizing heat distribution and passive cooling techniques. The power output of the PV-TEG hybrid system increased with solar radiation, peaking at 31.05 W at noon. The total electrical energy output of the hybrid system was 31% greater than that of a standalone 100 Wp photovoltaic panel. The findings suggest that this hybrid system can reduce energy consumption in greenhouse applications, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a sustainable energy solution for agricultural production. Future work should focus on expanding the system for larger-scale applications and investigating advanced materials to enhance performance further. 2024-06 Thesis NonPeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118482/1/118482.pdf Mohd Ariffin, Mohd Ruzaimi (2024) Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution. Doctoral thesis, Universiti Putra Malaysia. http://ethesis.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/18389 Photovoltaic power generation Thermoelectric generators Greenhouses - Energy conservation |
| spellingShingle | Photovoltaic power generation Thermoelectric generators Greenhouses - Energy conservation Mohd Ariffin, Mohd Ruzaimi Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution |
| title | Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution |
| title_full | Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution |
| title_fullStr | Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution |
| title_short | Efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution |
| title_sort | efficiency enhancement of hybrid photovoltaic thermoelectric generator for greenhouse based on temperature distribution |
| topic | Photovoltaic power generation Thermoelectric generators Greenhouses - Energy conservation |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118482/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118482/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118482/1/118482.pdf |