Solar Thermoelectricity for Power Generation

Thermoelectric materials convert waste heat into electricity, making sustainable power generation possible when a temperature gradient is applied. Solar radiation is one potential abundant and eco-friendly heat source for this application, where one side of the thermoelectric device is heated by incident sunlight, while the other side is kept at a cooler temperature. This is known as solar thermoelectric generation. Various thermoelectric materials are used for different solar thermoelectric applications, and different methods are explored to enhance the temperature gradient across the material. Solar optical concentrators, thermal and selective absorbers, and other tools are proposed to improve the performance of solar thermoelectrics. Despite continuous research and development, experimental solar thermoelectric efficiencies remain below 10%, and theoretical efficiencies do not surpass 20%. In this review, the different designs of solar thermoelectric generators are examined within the context of thermoelectric elements, optical concentrators, solar absorbers, and other techniques to enhance their performance. Last, an overview of the current state of solar thermoelectrics is provided, areas for improvement are suggested, and the future of these devices is predicted.