ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FORUM - etc.

Solar => Solar energy => Topic started by: CG on September 13, 2019, 11:33:58 am

Title: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: CG on September 13, 2019, 11:33:58 am

idea I have been pondering for a few weeks. It has to do with how solar cells wear out and have to be disposed of because UV radiation and heat degrade their performance. I thought 'why not a super black surface absorbing heat from the sun and then transferring that heat to a solid state Peltier device". (they use them on wood stoves to generate electricity to run an electric fan.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17FwVCPbOMGDnCrQ_TskuEbAx3NCbhUP-/view?usp=drivesdk

Title: Re: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: CG on May 09, 2020, 07:05:41 am

Hot water too. ;D

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkcD6Qe0OZqYiBKzQJeBfuQxX-z2EB9Z/view?usp=drivesdk

Title: Re: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: CG on May 11, 2020, 09:05:29 am

This one has a parabolic reflector for higher temperatures and less footprint, but requires solar tracking mechanism.
I built one in 1965 that just heated water and the water was hot enough to burn my fingers [ maybe >150 degrees]. I use aluminized mylar film for the reflector back then.
The STEG "Solar Thermal Electric Generator module" requires that one side be heated and the other cooled, to generate electricity, so that's the reason for the water cooling, the byproduct being, heated water, that can be utilized for showers etc.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ERT7MYdnaTH0L-Eul6pC66xsrWUE0rT1/view?usp=drivesdk

Title: Re: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: Jswm on May 11, 2020, 03:35:29 pm

I was  wondering  if  you  could  use a  Peltier device  on your  air conditioner  line  one  line  is hot  going  in and the  other is  cold coming out

Title: Re: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: CG on May 11, 2020, 03:42:25 pm

Good idea.
Should work fine.
They use the devices on top of wood burners to power an electric fan and blow the heat around.

Title: Re: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: CG on October 10, 2020, 12:08:17 pm

First test of TEG (thermal electric generator).


https://youtu.be/LB5I32fmtCg

Title: Re: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: CG on October 13, 2020, 09:31:16 am

Tried a hairdryer.
It seems that the maximum voltage on this module is 0.5 volts. Hopefully the current increases with more heat.

Title: Re: Thermal Solar Generator
Post by: CG on October 13, 2020, 02:29:28 pm

40mA, with ice on one side, hairdryer on other