Fabrication and Simulation of TE Modules for a Feasibility Study on Harvesting Solar Heat Energy from Roof Tiles

A novel roof tile thermoelectric generator (RT-TEG) was used to harvest electrical energy from a solar heat source. The RT-TEG was fabricated and simulated by flat and curved thermoelectric modules consisting of p-n junctions of p-Sb2Te3 and n-Bi2Te3, with an Al2O3 substrate at the top and bottom for heat absorption and heat rejection. The RT-TEG was installed in a roof tile to act as a generator. The electrical voltage and power values of the curved thermoelectric modules were higher than those of the flat thermoelectric module by 0.44 V and 80 mW, at a temperature difference (Delta T) of 100 K. In field tests, the RT-TEG produced a maximum electrical voltage of 33.70 mV and an electrical power of 46.24 mu W at Delta T similar to 7 K under a load resistance of 1 Omega under good sunshine at 13.00 hours. The energy conversion efficiency of RT-TEG was found to be 2.24 x 10(-4).