Improved Heat Transfer Using Micro-Structures in Trifold Solar Energy Conversion Systems

The worldwide renewable energy sources harvesting grew recently at rates of 10–60% annually for many technologies, due to improvements made in all areas. In solar energy conversion, an improvement recently presented in literature is the hybrid system that provides both electricity and thermal energy for domestic applications. For the trifold PV-TE-DHW system, the electrical conversion efficiency is increased by using a thermoelectric (TE) module. This paper proposes the use of micro-channeled heat exchangers at both hot and cold sides of the TE module to improve the heat exchange from the working fluids. The authors developed prior works and published papers in the area of fluid flow and heat transfer in microstructures, heat transfer augmentation, and in solar thermal systems. Results obtained show an improved efficiency energy transfer.