A review of thermoelectric applications in photovoltaic modules: structure, performance, and optimization

The research team from Wuhan University of Science and Technology published a review in Renewable and Sustainable Energy. By retrieving relevant literature from 2005 to 2024, they analyzed the structures, performances, and optimization strategies of four coupled systems: PV-TEG, SSPV-TEG, CPV-TEG, and PV/T-TEG, and explored their economic feasibility and application challenges. The study found that different coupled systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. In the future, improvements are needed in aspects such as material innovation, intelligent system design, and integration to enhance performance, reduce costs, and promote their wide application in the field of renewable energy.

Against the backdrop of the "carbon peaking," "carbon neutrality," and sustainable development strategies, renewable energy has received extensive attention. Although photovoltaic technology has developed rapidly, it still has limitations, such as insufficient utilization of the solar spectrum and high susceptibility to temperature changes. Dr. Tao Li, the first author, stated, "As the leading researcher of this paper, I focused on this issue. Therefore, we conducted this research, mainly aiming to sort out the application of TEG in PV. The research thoroughly analyzed the structural characteristics, performance, and optimization methods of four coupling systems: PV-TEG, SSPV-TEG, CPV-TEG, and PV/T-TEG, striving to provide comprehensive and valuable references for subsequent related research."

The structures of the four coupling systems, namely PV-TEG, SSPV-TEG, CPV-TEG, and PV/T -TEG, are complex and diverse, and there are some difficulties in their widespread practical applications. Xinyu Peng, the second author with a bachelor's degree from Wuhan University of Science and Technology, said, "The research found that different coupling systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. PV-TEG is directly coupled and can effectively generate electricity using waste heat, but in practical applications, there is often an uneven temperature distribution. SSPV-TEG uses the principle of spectral splitting and significantly improves the energy utilization efficiency, but its structure is relatively complex. In terms of economic feasibility, all systems face challenges such as costs, efficiency, and thermal management, but at the same time, they also embrace development opportunities such as material innovation and policy support, which point out the direction for the future development of this field."

The performance of each coupling system is comprehensively affected by multiple factors, and the performance of some systems has been significantly improved after optimization. The third author, Shiyang Zhou, said, "By optimizing thermal management and using new materials, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the system can be effectively improved. In addition, intelligent system design and system integration are important future development directions, which are expected to solve existing problems and thus promote the application of coupling systems in a wider range of fields."

This review aims to comprehensively sort out the application of thermoelectric generators (TEG) in photovoltaic (PV) systems and provide references for the research and development of PV hybrid thermoelectric power generation systems. It deeply explores the cost composition, influencing factors, and development trends of different coupling systems and analyzes the matching problems and installation layout challenges in their applications. From the four aspects of material innovation and technology integration, material sustainability and disposal, intelligent system design, and system integration, it looks ahead to the future development directions of TEG in the PV field and provides guidance for subsequent research and practice. Dr. Li summarized that although the coupling of photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric generators (TEG) has advantages such as comprehensive waste heat utilization and enhanced energy efficiency, and different systems have their own characteristics, it faces challenges such as efficiency, cost, and thermal management. However, policy support, growing market demand, and other factors bring development opportunities. This system has great application potential. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen interdisciplinary cooperation, integrate resources, and break through technical difficulties to promote sustainable energy development and build a clean and low-carbon energy future.          

Li T, Peng X, Zhou S. A review of thermoelectric applications in photovoltaic modules: structure, performance, and optimization. Renew. Sust. Energy 2025(1):0001, https://doi.org/10.55092/rse20250001.