Integration of CuO thin films and dye-sensitized solar cells for thermoelectric generators

This study investigates a solar-thermoelectric module for power generation from solar energy. The proposed method uses recycled external exhaust heat to generate electric power, further enhancing the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric generator (TEG). Using electrophoresis deposition, self-prepared CuO nanofluid is deposited onto a Cu plate and then adheres to the surface of a thermoelectric generator (TEG). Experimental results show that the CuO thin film coating on the TEG surface can elevate the temperature by around 2 °C and the voltage by around 14.8%, thus enhancing the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric generator by 10% and increasing the overall power output by 2.35%. It was found that this solar-thermoelectric module can generate about 4.95 mW/cm2 under solar radiation intensity of about 100 mW/cm2.