Enhanced Energy Conversion in Hybrid Photovoltaic–thermoelectric Systems: A Simulation-Based Multi-Physics Optimization Study

The efficiency of conventional photovoltaic (PV) systems remains constrained by thermal losses, where excess heat not only reduces electrical output but also shortens module lifespan. Hybridization with thermoelectric (TE) modules offers a promising pathway to recover part of this wasted energy, yet existing studies have often been limited to laboratory conditions or isolated component analyses. This study develops a MATLAB-based simulation framework to evaluate the technical and economic performance of four PV–TE configurations: Baseline Bi₂Te₃, Film+, Film+PCM, and Film+PCM+Heat Pipe. Seasonal irradiance and temperature datasets were employed to assess hybrid efficiency, seasonal and annual energy yields, daily hybrid gains, and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). Results show that hybrid configurations consistently outperform PV-only systems, with the Film+PCM+Heat Pipe case achieving the highest gains. Seasonal hybrid efficiency reached ~19% in winter, while annual hybrid yield improved by 2–3 kWh per module. Daily hybrid gains of up to 0.8% confirm incremental but reliable advantages. Importantly, these improvements were achieved without increasing LCOE, which remained at ~0.05 USD/kWh. The findings demonstrate that hybrid PV–TE systems can enhance solar energy harvesting in a cost-neutral manner, offering practical potential for scalable deployment and resilience across diverse climatic conditions.