Hybrid photovoltaic–thermal energy storage–thermoelectric system for enhanced solar energy harvesting

This study evaluates the performance of a hybrid solar energy system that couples a photovoltaic (PV) module with a phase‐change material (PCM)–based thermal energy storage unit and a thermoelectric generator (TEG). The integrated design aims to mitigate PV thermal losses while harvesting waste heat for additional electrical output. Outdoor experiments conducted under typical April 2025 climatic conditions showed that a standalone PV module produced a peak power of 44.15 W at 57.45°C, evidencing significant temperature‐induced efficiency degradation. Incorporating PCM effectively regulated the PV temperature below 45°C, increasing power output to 43.02 W despite reduced thermal stress. Water cooling offered superior thermal control, achieving the highest PV output of 46.45 W and a corresponding efficiency gain of 22.05%. When a TEG was integrated with the PV–PCM configuration, a peak TEG contribution of 10 W was recorded at a 13.53°C temperature gradient, yielding a combined system output of 53.02 W. These results demonstrate that the synergistic PV–PCM–TEG architecture markedly enhances thermal management and overall energy conversion, providing a scalable and practical pathway to improve solar energy utilization in high‐irradiance environments.