The photovoltaic effect directly converts light into electricity, whereas the thermoelectric effect converts temperature differences into electrical energy. In a PV-TE system, the thermoelectric module is integrated with the tandem perovskite silicon solar cell to collect the waste heat generated during solar energy conversion.
Technologically, the main challenge for the photovoltaic industry is improving PV module energy conversion efficiencies. Therefore, a variety of techniques have been tested, applied and deployed on PV and PV/T systems. Combined methods have also been a crucial impact toward efficiency improvement endeavors.
Using photothermal conversion materials to capture solar energy, energy conversion, and then through phase change materials to store solar energy can effectively solve the imbalance between the use of solar energy in time and space supply and demand.
Environmental factors significantly influence solar energy, leading to intermittency and unpredictability. These factors hinder the continuous energy conversion of photothermal materials, necessitating collaboration with storage media.
This report clearly points out that solar PV is one of the strategic renewable technologies needed to realise the global energy transformation in line with the Paris climate goals. The technology is available now, could be deployed quickly at a large scale and is cost-competitive.
The evolution of the solar PV industry so far has been remarkable, with several milestones achieved in recent years in terms of installations (including off-grid), cost reductions and technological advancements, as well as establishment of key solar energy associations (Figure 5).