A review on solar photovoltaic-powered thermoelectric coolers, performance enhancements, and recent advances

Abstract The average global temperature has increased by approximately 0.7 °C since the last century. If current trend continues, may further increase 1.4 – 4.5 until 2100. It is estimated that air-conditioning and refrigeration systems contribute about 15% of world electrical energy demand. rapid depletion non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels associated emissions lead to development alternative solutions which employ renewable for refrigeration. conventional vapour compression (VC) absorption (or adsorption) (VA) usually rely on their operation ultimately leads large amount CO 2 emissions. Thermoelectric (TE) working principle Peltier effect are an systems. thermoelectric refrigerators will not produce any noise vibration due absence moving parts. They refrigerant-free electrons act heat carriers. greatest advantage a TE system it can directly be powered solar photovoltaic (PVs) they give DC output. main drawback low coefficient performance (COP). COP cooler (TEC) operating with difference 20 0.5. improvement transfer at hot side key aspect better COP. A good material should possess high Seebeck coefficient, low-thermal conductivity, conductivity. Since these three interrelated, parameters must optimized. important reduce electric contact thermal resistances get optimized configuration cooler. recent developments in science enabled usage materials positive Thomson cooling performance. total efficiency TEC cell product PV Therefore, enhancement selection design solar-powered cell-powered depends insolation varies weather, climate, geographic location. Due variation unavailability power night, battery used store energy. This paper presents comprehensive review coolers dependance TECs various parameters. results reported PV-powered were critically analysed.