TESPI : Thermal Electric Solar Panel Integration

Abstract

The possibility of building a hybrid panel that can merge thermal solar and photovoltaic (PV) panel technologies is an object which presents a widespread practical interest. A new set-up is proposed with a water layer superimposed onto the PV panel: in this configuration most of the infrared radiation is captured by water, which becomes hot and can be used as a thermal energy source, and the efficiency of PV panel is increased because of the reduction of the thermal drift. The TESPI panel has been tested both for electric and thermal properties. The results are briefly discussed here.