Genetic algorithm-driven design of a spectral-splitting filter for a high-efficiency hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric system

Hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TEG) systems are a promising technology for full-spectrum solar energy utilization, but their widespread adoption is hindered by the high cost of spectral-splitting filters and the limitations of previous evaluation benchmarks. Prior studies have often employed temperature-sensitive silicon PV cells with weak absorptivity, leading to skewed performance comparisons under concentrated sunlight. To address these barriers, this study utilizes genetic algorithm (GA) to design a low-cost, 11-layer spectral-splitting filter, which is integrated with a temperature-tolerant InGaAs PV cell suitable for concentrating applications. The performance of this hybrid system was rigorously benchmarked against standalone PV and TEG systems across a solar concentration range of 5–42 suns. The results validate the GA as an effective design tool. Experimentally, the hybrid system demonstrated a clear synergistic advantage, with a critical performance crossover identified at 36 suns, above which it outperformed the PV-only system. At the maximum tested concentration of 42 suns, the hybrid system achieved a total power output of 553.2 mW, an 8.1% improvement over the PV-only system. This enhancement is due to the TEG module converting waste heat into electricity, with its power contribution rising to 18% at high concentrations, which mitigates the PV cell's temperature-induced efficiency degradation. By combining a GA-optimized, low-cost filter with an appropriately matched PV cell, this work confirms the superior performance of the hybrid PV-TEG system in high-concentration applications and supports its feasibility for large-scale deployment. • A low-cost, 11-layer spectral splitter is designed via Genetic Algorithm. • PV-TEG-BS hybrid system with an InGaAs cell and GA-designed filter is validated. • Hybrid system surpasses PV-only system at concentrations above 36 suns. • An 8.1% power enhancement is achieved over the PV-only system at 42 suns.