Thermoelectric

Maybe a dumb question, but has anyone mounted Thermoelectric modules on the underside of a PV panel to use the same basic surface area to generate additional wattage with the heat? Sure they have lower efficiencies, but...
I haven't even looked at the specs, prices, etc. on thermoelectric stuff, but a conversation with a guy who bought my motorhome today made me think about it. One benefit of solar panels is that they absorb the heat and dissipate some of it via convection so perhaps helps reduce the heat load on the roof of the coach...
Just wondering...
I haven't even looked at the specs, prices, etc. on thermoelectric stuff, but a conversation with a guy who bought my motorhome today made me think about it. One benefit of solar panels is that they absorb the heat and dissipate some of it via convection so perhaps helps reduce the heat load on the roof of the coach...
Just wondering...
Comments
You need a fairly large temperature differential to get any sort of "useful" energy from a TEG (thermal electric generator module).
For example, a quick search found:
http://thermoelectric-generator.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Spec-TEG2-07025HT-SS-rev.pdf
The maximum cell temperature is around 80C on a solar panel (maximum rated PV panel temperature)--And if you stuck the other side into melting snow--You would get around 2 watts from a 40x40mm (1.6x1.6 inch square) module.
-Bill
Just to make it easier to look at:
Thank you inetdog.
-Bill