SkyVolt: Harnessing Daytime Radiative Cooling and Thermoelectric Generation for Sustainable Micro-Energy Harvesting

Abstract SkyVolt presents a novel, low-cost, and scalable system for clean micro-energy generation without relying on solar photovoltaic technology. By leveraging the coldness of the sky as a natural heat sink and the warmth retained in the environment, SkyVolt creates a temperature gradient across a thermoelectric generator (TEG) using a daytime radiative cooling layer paired with a heat-absorbing layer. This gradient drives continuous electricity generation via the Seebeck effect, enabling silent, emission-free power suitable for off-grid IoT sensors, environmental monitors, and micro-devices. Unlike traditional solar panels, SkyVolt can operate under various weather conditions, including cloudy, cold, and rainy days, providing a robust solution for distributed clean energy systems globally. This paper details the physics, system architecture, material considerations, weather performance, and realistic power outputs of SkyVolt, demonstrating its potential for advancing low-maintenance, clean micro-power infrastructure worldwide.