DOI: https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2026.61734
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Experimental investigation of photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid systems enhanced by a heatsink and radiation reflector

1Department of Industrial Education, Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, 114, Sukhumvit 23, Wattana, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand

2Department of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Faculty of Railway Systems and Transportation, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

Received: 8 Sep 2025; Revised: 18 Feb 2026; Accepted: 16 Mar 2026; Available online: 1 Apr 2026; Published: 1 May 2026.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto
Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

This study presents the design and performance evaluation of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV–TEG) power generation system enhanced by the integration of a heat sink and a radiation reflector under various thermal-management conditions. The primary objective was to investigate the combined effect of these two methods on power output and system efficiency without expanding the PV installation area. The experimental setup encompassed five configurations (A–E), including natural convection, integration of thermoelectric modules, addition of reflective panels, and active cooling using air suction or forced air ventilation. Results demonstrate that all PV–TEG configurations yielded higher power outputs and greater efficiencies than the standalone PV system. Notably, configuration E, which combined radiation reflection with forced-air cooling, achieved the highest performance, increasing the electrical output by approximately 1.27 watts and reaching a peak efficiency of approximately 28.6%. The integration of TEG modules contributed an additional maximum of 2.2% to the total energy output by harvesting the excess thermal energy. Further analysis revealed significant correlations between solar irradiance, temperature, and electrical efficiency. These results highlight the potential of PV–TEG hybrid systems to effectively harness both solar and thermal energy, particularly in high-temperature and high-irradiance environments.

Keywords: electrical efficiency; reflector; photovoltaic power; experimental data; solar radiation
Funding: This study was Faculty of Education, Fiscal year 2024 (No. 581/2567) and the financial research article publication support of Strategic Wisdom and Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University

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Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
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