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Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy / Volume 1 / Issue 4 / REGULAR ARTICLES

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J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 1, 043107 (2009); doi:10.1063/1.3180391 (6 pages)

Comparative analysis of photovoltaic and thermoelectric panels for powering isolated homes

L. E. Juanicó and G. F. Rinalde

Conicet, Bariloche Atomic Center, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina

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(Received 13 December 2008; accepted 26 June 2009; published online 22 July 2009)

A comparative economic analysis between photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) generators used to provide lighting for isolated rural homes is presented. Although panel costs are similar in both cases, appreciable lower generation costs are obtained by TEs. The difference is due to greater availability of the thermal source. In addition, regarding present TE cost reductions, this comparison is much better for TEs. Due to high generation costs, high-efficiency appliances of leading technologies are strongly recommended in all cases.

© 2009 American Institute of Physics

Article Outline

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. Experiences on rural electrification in Argentina
  2. DEFINITION OF THE DEMAND AND PV GENERATION SYSTEM
  3. THERMOELECTRIC GENERATION SYSTEM
  4. CONCLUSIONS

RELATED DATABASES

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KEYWORDS and PACS

Keywords

lighting, photovoltaic power systems, power generation economics, thermoelectric conversion

PACS

  • 84.60.Rb

    Thermoelectric, electrogasdynamic and other direct energy conversion

  • 88.40.M-

    Residential and commercial buildings

  • 84.60.Jt

    Photoelectric conversion

  • 88.05.Lg

    Economic issues; sustainability; cost trends

ARTICLE DATA

Permalink
http://link.aip.org/link/doi/10.1063/1.3180391

PUBLICATION DATA

ISSN:

1941-7012 (print)  
1941-7012 (online)

Publisher:

$abstract.society.value is a Member of CrossRef American Institute of Physics

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  2. Trojan manufacturer website, the World famous manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries: http://www.trojan-battery.com.
  3. To get a general picture of inverter's market, visit the website: http://www.voltageconverters.com/220_volt_power_inverters.html.
  4. Visit the inverter manufacturer website: http://www.aimscorp.net/PWRI100012S.htm.
  5. Global Thermoelectric, Canada, 2007. See the company website: www.globalte.com.
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  12. S. Riffat and X. Ma, Appl. Therm. Eng. 23, 913 (2003). [Inspec] [ISI]
  13. Visit Hi-Z website, manufacturer of thermoelectric modules: www.hi-z.com.
  14. Visit Tellurex's website, manufacturer of thermoelectric modules: www.tellurex.com/cthermo.html.
  15. Visit Taihuaxing's website, trader of thermoelectric modules: www.sitechina.com/thermoelectric.
  16. Philips Research Technology Magazine No. 28, October 2006, pp. 28–31. Satisfying a burning need (http://www.research.philips.com/password/download/password_28.pdf).
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  18. PERMER (rural electrification program), 2007. Published by Argentinean Society of Renewable Energy in Salta, Argentina. See: www.energia.mecon.gov.ar/permer/jujuy.html.
  19. Fluorescent versus incandescent lamps. See this review paper in: http://nemesis.lonestar.org/reference/electricity/fluorescent/efficiency.html.
  20. Wikipedia, 2009. Find LED technology development in: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode.
  21. New high-efficiency bright white LED. See manufacturer's website of Nichia Corporation: http://www.nichia.com/.
  22. G. Gallegos, Energías Renovables y Medio Ambient 5, 33 (1998).
  23. A brochure of TE's prototypes for different applications manufactured by Hi-Z: http://www.hi-z.com/documents/Hi-Z.Brochure.2006.pdf.
  24. The Chimney Sweep, Online Fireplace, Woodstove, Gas Stove and Barbecue Shops. See a wood stove comparison page in: http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/wscompha.htm.

Tables

Table I. Set of parameters for the minimum load case regarding the lighting technology used [(1) bulb lamps; (2) fluorescent lamps; and (3) white LEDs]. System 3 stores just 50% of energy generated in the battery.

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Table II. Initial investments required according to the type of lamps used for the cheapest inverter (savings are related to system 1).

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Table III. Initial investments required according to the type of lamps used for the expensive inverter (savings are related to system 1).

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Table IV. Investments required by TE generation system (savings are related to PV systems).

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