Flat Plate Solar Thermoelectric Generator Design Analysis

Abstract

A general design procedure is presented which allows a rapid graphical solution of the performance of the generator for a matched load condition. Furthermore, its performance is evaluated for solar concentrations of 1 to 2 times the solar constant, segmenting of the thermoelements with compatible Bi2Te3 cooling material, increase of the area of the radiator plate over that of the collector plate, and for a satellite probe to pass by Venus.