Advances in integrated photo–thermal–electric energy conversion

Abstract

Photo–thermal–electric energy conversion enables the transformation of solar energy and thermal energy into electricity through photovoltaic, photothermal and thermoelectric effects. According to disparate components and device structures, diverse photo–thermal–electric energy conversion systems can be divided into solar thermoelectric generators (STEG), phase change material thermoelectric energy harvesting (PCM–TEG) systems, photovoltaic cell–thermoelectric generator (PVC–TEG) systems, photovoltaic-thermoelectric systems with phase change materials (PVC–PCM–TEG), and thermo-phototronic semiconductors (TPS). Specifically, STEGs consist of a solar absorber and thermoelectric generator, which convert solar energy into electricity by utilizing the photothermal and thermoelectric effect; PCM–TEG systems can offer a stable and significant temperature difference for TEG, benefiting from the heat storage capability of PCMs; PVC–TEG systems boost solar utilization efficiency through direct PVC photovoltaic electricity generation synergized with TEG thermoelectric conversion via solar photothermal energy; PVC–PCM–TEG systems mitigate solar thermal fluctuations via PCM integration; TPS systems enable spontaneous photo–thermal–electric interconversion via the thermo-phototronic effect. This review provides a comprehensive overview of advanced photo–thermal–electric energy conversion systems and outlines future directions.