Performance assessment of a solar PV based thermoelectric cooling system

In recent years, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming economically viable as the system costs are being reduced and plenty of research activities are carried out to explore better utilization of these systems for novel applications. One such option is combining solar cells and Peltier modules. In the present work, a solar PV panel has been set up and the electricity generated from the panel has been utilized to power a Peltier module so that thermoelectric cooling effect is produced. Cold side of the module has been used to condense the moisture in the atmospheric air and generate small quantity of potable water. Numerical and experimental investigations have been carried out on this solar PV based thermoelectric system so as to assess its performance and explore the possibilities of producing drinking water from this system.