Energy Efficiency Improvement in a Hybrid PV-TEG System with Finned Aluminum Heatsinks

Hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator (PV-TEG) systems can recover waste heat from PV modules, but performance relies on maintaining a sufficient temperature difference (ΔT) across thermoelectric modules. Excessive PV temperature reduces output and limits TEG benefits, making thermal management critical. This study evaluated finned aluminum heatsinks on a hybrid PV-TEG system using two 5 Wp monocrystalline panels with sixteen TEC1-12706 modules, eight connected in series beneath each panel. Three configurations were tested: no heatsink, 4-fin, and 11-fin heatsinks. Experiments were conducted under 100 W LED illumination with data logged every 2 min for 2 h. Voltage, current, and temperature were measured via INA219 and DS18B20 sensors connected to an Arduino acquisition system, and overall efficiency calculated from output power and incident irradiance. Results showed that heatsinks improved efficiency from 0.64% (no-heatsink) to 0.83% (4-fin) and 0.87% (11-fin). The 11-fin configuration produced the highest average power (0.2148 W) and largest ΔT (11.57 °C). Increasing fin count enhances heat dissipation, lowers TEG cold-side temperature, and improves overall electrical output. These findings provide practical guidance for the design and optimization of small-scale PV-TEG systems, supporting enhanced energy recovery and efficient thermal management in future applications.