Specifically, STEGs consist of a solar absorber and thermoelectric generator, which convert solar energy into electricity by utilizing the photothermal and thermoelectric effect; PCM–TEG systems can offer a stable and significant temperature difference for TEG, benefiting from the heat storage capability of PCMs; PVC–TEG systems boost solar utilization efficiency through direct PVC photovoltaic electricity generation synergized with TEG thermoelectric conversion via solar photothermal energy; PVC–PCM–TEG systems mitigate solar thermal fluctuations via PCM integration; TPS systems enable spontaneous photo–thermal–electric interconversion via the thermo-phototronic effect.
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What are photothermal conversions of solar energy?
Then, the state-of-the-art progress for photothermal conversions of solar energy is introduced in detail, mainly including photothermal water evaporation and desalination, photothermal catalysis, photothermal electric power generation, photothermal bacterial killing, photothermal sensors, and photothermal deicing.
What is photothermal power technology?
Photothermal power technology is a typical photo-thermal-electric conversion system based on the photothermal effect and Seebeck effect, . In this system, photothermal materials convert the absorbed solar energy into heat energy, and then convert it into electricity through the thermoelectric generator, , .
What is hygroscopic assisted solar photo-thermal-electric conversion system?
4. Conclusion In summary, the hygroscopic assisted solar photo-thermal-electric conversion system for all-day power generation and daytime water collection has been proposed, which skillfully combines solar radiation photothermal conversion and moisture absorption/desorption.
How efficient is photothermal power generation?
Although photothermal electric power generation can show a solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency exceeding 7% under 38 Sun, its conversion efficiency remains very low under low concentration solar intensity, such as 1 Sun or ambient conditions.
Is photo-thermoelectric power a promising solar energy conversion technology?
To conclude, photo-thermoelectric power is a promising solar energy conversion technology, but many efforts should be made to improve the solar-to-electricity efficiency, because the efficiency remains still very low based on photo-thermoelectric conversion under AM 1.5 G illumination. [34, 90, 91]
The photo-thermal-electric conversion system is generally composed of a photothermal layer, a commercial thermoelectric generator and a cooling layer, which is divided into three types according to the different photothermal layers.