Author Topic: Thermal Solar Generator  (Read 154 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline CG

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4249
Thermal Solar Generator
« 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

« Last Edit: October 10, 2020, 01:36:08 pm by CG »

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


Offline CG

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4249
« Last Edit: May 09, 2020, 08:02:18 am by CG »

Offline CG

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4249
Re: Thermal Solar Generator
« Reply #2 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
« Last Edit: May 11, 2020, 09:11:35 am by CG »

Offline Jswm

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 218
Re: Thermal Solar Generator
« Reply #3 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

Offline CG

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4249
Re: Thermal Solar Generator
« Reply #4 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.

Offline CG

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4249
Re: Thermal Solar Generator
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2020, 12:08:17 pm »
First test of TEG (thermal electric generator).



Offline CG

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4249
Re: Thermal Solar Generator
« Reply #6 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.

Offline CG

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4249
Re: Thermal Solar Generator
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2020, 02:29:28 pm »
40mA, with ice on one side, hairdryer on other