Study and experimental test of Peltier cells for an energy recovery system in a renewable energy device

The present work focuses its attention about the need of implementation of an energy recovery system for a renewable energy device as photovoltaic cells. In a specific way the present paper is addressed to the evaluation of a potential use of Peltier cells to recover waste heat of PV, using the Seedback effect. An overview of Peltier cells, mainly focused on their functionality, properties and possible applications, is initially presented. The results of an extensive experimental test campaign is then presented; these tests have mainly been dedicated to the evaluation of Peltier cells properties in the electrical conversion of heating energy produced and/or not dissipated during the photovoltaic phenomena in siliceous PV cells. The last part of the work presents the results of a parallel test campaign where Peltier cells have been used as thermoelectric cooling devices, in the aim to improve the PV cell performance. In fact the efficiency and technical lifetime of these latter elements, is strongly affected by temperature of photovoltaic cell. This point and the dissipated heat are fundamental topics for every installation but above all in the cases of regions with a very hot climate or for concentrated photovoltaic plants.