Photovoltaic phase-change conversion system with adaptive thermoelectric switching mechanism

The performance of photovoltaic cells is critically influenced by temperature conditions. This study introduces a novel energy conversion system integrating Photovoltaic, Phase Change Material, and Thermoelectric modules (PV-PCM-TE), designed to leverage phase change thermal storage capabilities. The system dynamically monitors the PCM temperature and adaptively switches the thermoelectric module’s operational state to mitigate the photovoltaic cell temperature increase, thereby enhancing the overall energy conversion efficiency. Experimental validation of the proposed system has yielded a peak energy conversion efficiency of 33.56%, presenting an innovative approach for the development of smart, energy-efficient power systems.