A PROJECT REPORT

on

DESIGN AND REAL TIME MONITORING OF SOLAR PV

AND THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATOR HYBRID SYSTEM
USING IoT

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree

of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

by

ARIHANT VAKIL (Reg. No.: 1511005010238)

MD TUFAIL SAFDAR (Reg. No.: 1511005010308)
ARYAMAN NIGAM (Reg. No.: 1511005010282)

Under the guidance of

MRS. Y .JEYASHREE
Associate Professor, EEE

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur- 603 203
Kancheepuram Dist
MAY 2019
 BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project report titled “DESIGN AND REAL TIME MONITORING
OF SOLAR PV AND THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATOR HYBRID SYSTEM
USING IoT” is the bonafide work of ARIHANT VAKIL (Reg. No.: 1511005010238), MD
TUFAIL SAFDAR (Reg. No.: 1511005010308) and ARYAMAN NIGAM (Reg. No.:
1511005010282) who carried out the project work under my supervision. Certified further, that
to the best of my knowledge the work reported herein does not form part of any other project
report or dissertation on the basis of which a degree or award was conferred on an earlier
occasion on this or any other candidate.

Signature of the Guide Signature of the HOD

MRS. Y .JEYASHREE Dr. K.VIJAYA KUMAR, M.E., Ph.D
Associate Professor, EEE Professor and Head
Department of EEE Department of EEE
SRM IST SRM IST

Internal Examiner External Examiner

Date:
 ABSTRACT

This project emphasizes on proposing a design of Solar PV Thermo-Electric Generator

Hybrid system with its monitoring system using IoT. The project involved focusses on using

the waste heat of the PV panel in order to decrease its temperature by using a thermo-electric

generator (TEG) which also leads to increase in the photovoltaic module conversion efficiency.

In addition a real time monitoring system is needed to check the viability and performance of

the system. Internet of Things (IoT) technology is used for supervising hybrid power generation

which enhances the monitoring, maintenance and performance of the system or plant. It

increases the ease of implementation too since it gives output without manual handling of the

multi-meters.
 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

ABSTRACT 3

LIST OF TABLES 6

LIST OF FIGURES 7

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 HISTORY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS 8
1.2 EARLIER WORK ON THE SYSTEM 9
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES 9
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION 10
2.2 OVERVIEW OF SOLAR ENERGY 10
2.3 METHODS OF HARVESTING SOLAR 11
ENERGY
2.3.1 Photovoltaic (PV) Cell
2.3.2 Thermoelectric (TE) Device
2.3.2.1 Thermoelectric Effects
2.3.2.2 Solar Thermoelectric System
2.4 COMBINED SYSTEMS 17
2.4.1 Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Hybrid System
2.4.2 Photovoltaic/Thermoelectric (PV/TE) Hybrid
System
2.4.3 Use of Nanofluid in PV/T Hybrid Systems
3 PV-TEG HYBRID EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
3.1 INTRODUCTION 21
3.2 GENERATING SYSTEM 23
3.2.1 Thermo-Electric Generator
3.2.2 PV Cells
3.2.3 PV-TEG Hybrid System
3.2.4 Comsol Multiphysics
3.3 MONITORING SYSTEM 27
 5

3.3.1 Current And Voltage Acquisition Circuit

(Sensors)
3.3.2 Arduino
3.3.3 Node MCU
3.3.4 Blynk App
3.4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4 CONCLUSION 37
REFERENCES 38
 6

LIST OF TABLES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

3.1 Specification of TEG 23

3.2 Specifications of the PV cells measured at standard test 24
conditions
3.3 Specification of PV panel 25
3.4 PV radiation values 25
3.5 Experimental readings of TEG 32
3.6 Experimental values at initial conditions 33
3.7 Experimental values hybrid PV – TEG system 34
 7

LIST OF FIGURES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

2.1 Global energy production prediction. Largest energy source will be Solar 10
energy in next three decades.
2.2 The construction of Dye Sentisized Cell (DSC) 11
2.3 A snapshot of 5 cm x 10 cm elastic PV cell 12
2.4 P-V and I-V curves of a PV cell 12
2.5 The output power as a function of voltage at different temperatures for a 13
solar cell
2.6 The relation between temperature and cell conversion efficiency 13
2.7 The Seebeck effect: voltage generated due to difference in temperature 14
2.8 Concentrator with hybrid TEG-PV system 15
2.9 Diagram of the PV-TEG with a enlarged view of evacuated tubular 16
2.10 Diagram of the solar TE system 16
2.11 Diagram of the hybrid Solar TEG system 17
2.12 Diagram for a hybrid PV-TEG generation system 18
2.13 Diagram of the hybrid solar panel 18
2.14 Diagram of the solar cell (Polymer) and TEG 19
2.15 Diagram of the hybrid PV/TE system 19
2.16 Diagram for the hybrid Photovoltaic Thermoelectric system 20
3.1 Block Diagram of hybrid PV/TE system 21
3.2 Experimental setup of hybrid PV/TE system with its monitoring part 22
3.3 Circuit diagram of the hybrid PV/TEG system 22
3.4 A Circuit diagram of hybrid PV/TE system 26
3.5 Comsol simulation of TEG system 27
3.6 Comsol simulation of PV system 27
3.7 Monitoring System 28
3.8 Current Sensor Circuit 29
3.9 Work flow of the system 30
3.10 Sample screenshot of Blynk App 31
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Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 HISTORY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS

Today’s generation faces a much significant issue of energy utilization in a sustainable

manner which would benefit the consumers as well as the suppliers. The other important

aspect one fails to recognize is the implementation of future technologies in a much cost

effective way. Now considering the demands and the limitations of the fossil fuel energy

resources, the focus is now getting shifted towards renewable energy resources.

Renewable energy resources not only cater to the demands of the consumers but also turn

out to be more efficient compared to the traditional energy resources.

Photovoltaics, defined as the conversion of light energy to electrical energy with the

help of appropriate semiconducting materials has garnered much positive response as the

integral element of Photovoltaic Systems is solar energy which is freely available.

Although setting up a Photovoltaic System may result in unforeseen expenses it can be

taken care of by incorporating the required tools and mechanisms which would assist

such systems to be deemed as a very promising technology. A Solar cell constitutes of

semiconducting materials which forms n layer and p layer required for converting solar

energy to electrical energy. As the transfer of electrons and holes increases, the

temperature of the system rises too. This temperature rise of PV Cell causes the decrease

in output of the cell. Therefore, a percentage of solar energy gets converted to heat

(usually termed as waste heat) and techniques to utilize this waste heat are devised. There

has been considerable interest in cooling techniques and the use of Thermo-electric

Generators.

Thermo-electric Generator helps in utilizing the waste heat of the PV Cell and thus

reducing the PV Cell temperature, all of this will result in enhanced output. Different
 9

types of PV Cells such as cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Amorphous Si etc. have been

incorporated and studied further. Also in electrical vehicles, hybrid renewable energy

source can be used. Compared to single cell, hybrid system has recorded 10% increase

in efficiency.

1.2 EARLIER WORK ON THE SYSTEM

Solar cells can be integrated with TEG to transfer excess waste heat and decrease

operating temperature of PV panel. Additionally, temperature difference between the

cold side and hot side could generate extra electric power due to seebeck effect. Hot side

being the solar cells and cold side being the heat sink.

Various thermo-elements and PV cells were tried to optimize the efficiency of PV cell

performance.

Experimental study was conducted and under fixed irradiation level and different

temperatures PV cells were tested, short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, maximum

power output (Pmax) and conversion efficiency of the PV cells were observed. Various

studies on incorporation of TEG with PV cells, in particular Dye Sentisized cell (DSC),

has been performed.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The main problem faced during this project was to increase the efficiency of the PV

system. The second problem Statement is to how to use the waste heat of the PV panel

in order to decrease its temperature by using a thermo-electric generator (TEG).

Also we need to find the right amount of Phase Change Material (PCM) material so

that it can be sufficient to run the TEG for around 8 hours. A monitoring system is

needed to check the viability of the system. It increases the ease of implementation

since it gives output without manual handling of the multi-meters.

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Chapter 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

In literature review section, solar energy and techniques and methods of harvesting solar

power are observed and overviewed. As solar radiations can be utilized in two ways-

Photovoltaic effect as well as thermo-electric effect. Therefore, system includes PV

panel, TEG as well as combined PV-TEG system, PV-thermal system.

Various studies have been discussed on increasing the efficiency of this PV/T (PV-

Thermal) system. Also some papers have focussed on PV-TEG (PV-Thermoelectric

generator) systems. Using nanofluid as coolant in PV-TEG can optimize the efficiency

and effectiveness.

2.2 OVERVIEW OF SOLAR ENERGY

Now-a-days solar energy is in demand due to increased price of fossil fuels as well as

growing energy demands. Also since it is renewable, clean, environmental friendly, low

noise, low cost etc., therefore it has a great future prospect. It is known fact that the

excessive use of fossil fuels all over the world have caused Global Warming and

environmental pollution therefore consumption of power by harvesting solar energy will

increase in next three decades (as shown in fig.2.1)

Fig 2. 1 Global energy production prediction. Largest energy source will be

Solar energy in next three decades.
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2.3 METHODS OF HARVESTING SOLAR ENERGY

There are two general methods of harvesting solar energy- Direct and Indirect.

Indirect methods include hydro-electric, wind energy etc. While in direct methods,

Photo-voltaic cell, Thermo-electric generator (TEG), combined PV-TEG System etc. are

being used.

2.3.1 PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) CELL

PV cell converts solar energy into electricity using Photo-electric effect. Its efficiency is

determined by materials of the solar cell as well as operating temperature. According to

the semiconductor materials used, Solar PV cells are classified in many types. Mono-

crystalline, Poly-crystalline and Amorphous are the subdivisions. Materials generally

used to construct PV cells are Indium Phosphide ( InP), Cadmium Telluride(CdTe),

Gallium Arsenide( GaAs) and Dye-Sentisized Cell(DSC). DSC is a thin film cell usually

easy to design and it’s flexible too as shown in figure.2.

Fig 2. 2 The construction of Dye Sentisized Cell (DSC)

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Fig 2. 3 A snapshot of 5 cm x 10 cm elastic PV cell

PV cells are characterised by its PV and IV curves. Maximum power is obtained at the

point where Vmp(Voltage at maximum point) and Imp( maximum current) are observed

by multipying both quantities. Typical IV, PV curves are shown in fig.2.4

Fig 2. 4 P-V and I-V curves of a PV cell

Conversion efficiency is calculated by:

 13

where, 𝐴𝑃𝑉 (m2) is the PV cell area and G (W.m-2) is the solar insolation( irradiation).

Constraint which determines cell quality is the Fill Factor which is given as:

where, ISC is the short circuit current and VOC is the open circuit voltage ( see Figure 2.4).

In various papers, the effect of temperature on solar cell was reviewed. It is observed

conversion efficiency decreases with increase in temperature (fig.2.6). Also Maximum

power as a function of output voltage decreases with increasing temperature as shown in

fig.2.5 for different temperatures.

Fig 2. 5 The output power as a function of voltage at different temperatures for a solar cell

Fig 2. 6 The relation between temperature and cell conversion efficiency

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2.3.2 THERMO-ELECTRIC (TE) DEVICE

2.3.2.1 THERMOELECTRIC EFFECTS

Thermo-electric generator converts heat into electricity using semiconductor solid state

device.

Same like PV power generation, it also environmental friendly, low noise, clean etc.

Thermo-electric effects generally consist of three effects:Thompson effect, Peltier effect

and seebeck effect.

The Seebeck Effect

It is the process of generating voltage due to change in temperature by joining two

dissimilar metals as given in fig.2.7.

Fig 2. 7 The Seebeck effect: voltage generated due to difference in temperature

The voltage generated is:

V= αab ∆T, 2.3

where, and ∆T is the temperature difference between the cold junction and hot junction.

αab is the change in Seebeck coefficient of two materials,

 15

2.3.2.2 SOLAR THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEM

Solar Thermo-electric system using TEG is additional method of utilizing sun energy

and converting it into electric energy. Gao, a scientist, proposed a formula to directly

calculate the power generated from TEG based on difference in temperature and solar

radiation data. He had used solar concentrator setup utilizing six hybrid TEGs.

Now, hot side of TEG was exposed to sun’s irradiation and cold side was provided with

circulation of water. The temperature of hot side reached to almost 180 °C midday while

cold side to 45-50 °C. The overall power generated was around 200 W.

Fig 2. 8 Concentrator with hybrid TEG - PV system

In addition, evacuated tubular solar collector (ETSC) design was constructed in which

parabolic concentrator and TEGs are present to generate power as well as hot water.

Here cold side was connected to the heat sink while hot side was exposed to Solar

Selective Absorber (SSA). The whole setup was running under vacuum conditions as in

fig.2.11
 16

Fig 2. 9 Diagram of the PV – TEG with a enlarged view of evacuated tubular

Modelling of HSTE (Hybrid Solar Thermoelectric) was also studied. Components of the

system were a parabolic trough concentrator, a thermosyphon and a solar selective

material coated on TEG.

Here thermosyphon enhanced the heat transfer from thermoelectric to condenser while

concentrator increased the radiation level in order to give heat to the TEG. The study has

focused on different TEG materials as well as working fluids.

Fig 2.10 Diagram of the solar TE system

A solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) design is shown in Figure 2.11.

 17

Fig 2.11 Diagram of the hybrid Solar TEG system

The electric conversion efficiency has been improved to almost 5% under 1 KW m-2

which was around 8 times higher than other STEGs reported earlier.

2.4 COMBINED SYSTEMS

Combined PV-TEG system utilizes both photo-electric and thermo-electric aspects of the

solar radiation. Shorter wavelengths of spectrum are generally used for photo-electric

effect while longer wavelengths for thermo-electric effect. The heat generated in PV

could be used as by-product to the TEG (using Seebeck effect).

This combined hybrid system increases the efficiency of PV system by utilising the waste

heat into TEG. Also thermal power added to solar electric power will increase the total

system power.

The cooling approach of the cold side of TEG will determine the type of hybrid system.

For example heat extraction from cold side can be done by air, heat pipe, water, PCM

(Phase Change Material) and thermo-electric cooler.

2.4.1 PHOTOVOLTAIC/THERMAL (PV/T) SYSTEMS

PV/T system is used to generate both electricity and heat. PV panel absorbs solar

radiation and produces electricity while heat is absorbed by thermal collector from solar

cells and transfering it to the fluid thus produces heat. In the whole process, the

temperature of PV cell will fall down thus increasing the efficiency.

 18

2.4.2 PHOTOVOLTAIC THERMOELECTRIC HYBRID SYSTEM

In last 10-20 years, PV-TEG hybrid system has been investigated as TEG can utilise

waste heat from solar cells as by-product and generate electricity in next stage. The heat

collector is generally deployed to give the heat from solar cells to the TEG hot side.

Fig 2. 12 Diagram for a hybrid PV-TEG generation system

Also the solar spectrum splitter could be used in which shorter wavelenghts are to be

focused on solar cells while longer wavelengths could be used to heat the fluid and thus

used by TEG in later stage. The results obtained from the experiment indicate that Voc

has been increased by 3%. Also this experimental study suggested the application of

nanofluid to recover the efficiency of TEG materials thus increasing the electric output

power.

Fig 2. 13 Diagram of the hybrid solar panel

 19

Fig 2. 14 Diagram of the solar cell (Polymer) and TEG

Due to incorporation of TEG with solar PV panel, circuitry increased due to which power

losses occurred. The study recommended the use of low internal resistance in both

devices in order to increase the load voltage.

After the discovery of Dye-sentisised Cell (DSC) in 1991, the conversion efficiency

gradually increased .Since DSC utilizes the solar spectrum efficiently, short wavelength

was focused on cell while longer wavelengths of spectrum were converted to heat inside

DSC.

Also copper oxide (CuO) thin film was spread on TEG to improve the convection and

transfer of heat in the hybrid setup. This coating caused a rise in the efficiency of hybrid

system by 10% and output power increase by 2.35%.

Nanotechnology was also involved in the experiment. Nanofluid acted as coolant which

decreases the temperature of the cold side of the TEG, also it retained the heat for longer

period of time. Thus eventually it increased the efficiency of hybrid system.

Fig 2. 15 Diagram of the hybrid PV/TE system

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2.4.3 USE OF NANOFLUID IN PV/T HYBRID SYSTEM

Nanotechnology was also involved in the experiment. Nanofluid acted as coolant which

reduces temperature of TEG cold side, also it retained the heat for longer period of time.

Thus eventually it increased the efficiency of PV-TEG system. Figure 2.17 shows a

diagram for a PV/T hybrid system with the use of nanofluid as coolant.

Fig 2. 16 Diagram for the hybrid Photovoltaic Thermo-electric system

Nanofluid optical filter (fabricated from thin film or solid material) is used to filter the

solar spectrum wavelengths and allow only the useful solar energy for PV cell to go

through it.
 21

CHAPTER 3

PV-TEG HYBRID EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

3.1 INTRODUCTION
The proposed system consists of hybrid PV-TE generation system connected to

monitoring system. In generating system, we have PV panel and Thermo-electric

generator which are giving DC supply to the battery and load. This generating system is

connected to the Arduino through current and voltage sensors. Arduino UNO is used to

read the sensor values. It is connected to the Wi-Fi module NodeMCU. The sensed data

from the Arduino is demonstrated on the Blynk app through the Wi-Fi module

Fig 3. 1 Block Diagram of hybrid PV/TE system

 22

Fig 3. 2 Experimental setup of hybrid PV/TE system with its monitoring part

Fig 3. 3 Circuit diagram of hybrid PV/TE system

 23

3.2 GENERATING SYSTEM

This section describes the equipments and key components required for the generating

system.

3.2.1 THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATOR

Table 3.1 Specification of TEG

CALCULATIONS

SOLAR RADIATION = 900 W/m2

Q i/p = Area * Solar radiation

= 102* 10-4*900 W/m2

= 10-2 *900 W/m2

=9W

Q = m ( CPS (ΔT))+ m(L)+[ m CPC (ΔT)L]

Q = IS THE ENERGY

m = mass of the PCM required

ΔT= is the temperature change

 24

L= Latent heat

Q= m [CPS (ΔT) + L]

9 = m [2570(10) + 197000]

9 = m [25700+197000]

9/222700 = m

WE NEED FOR 8 HOURS

9*8*3600/222700 = m

m = 1.16 Kg

VOLUME REQUIRED

ρ = m/v

900 = 1.16/v

V = 1.16/900

V = 1.28*10-3

V = 1.28 m3

3.2.2 PV CELLS

Table 3. 2 Specifications of the PV cells measured at standard test conditions

PV APV Active area VOC ISC FF Ηpv

Technology (cm2) (cm2) (V) (mA) (%) (%)

m-Si 9 6.25 0.6 180 67.1 11.6

p-Si 20 12.95 1.8 130 77.4 14

a-Si 16 16 2.6 53.9 59.4 5.2

CIS 36 31.36 4.8 69 47.3 5

 25

CdTe 30 25 4.1 64 46.7 4.9

DSC 3 0.25 0.78 3.1 41.4 4

Table 3.3 shows their specifications including VOC, ISC, FF, ηPV, the module area, active

area.

Table 3. 3 Specification of PV panel

Table 3. 4 PV Radiation Values

Parameters Time
Unit 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00 12.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Global m/volt 6.01 10.6 12.01 12.3 12.96 11.9 12.2 11.2 9.15 6.15
Radiation
Diffuse m/volt 1.15 4.4 3.56 1.73 1.23 0 0 0 2.15 0
Radiation
Ambient ℃ 35.5 36.6 37.5 37.6 39.1 39.1 38.9 39.1 37.9 36.5
Temperature

Conversion Factor for

1. Global Radiation Pyranometer, Serial No. 107007 is : 18.78

2. Diffuse Radiation Pyranometer, Serial No. 107008 is : 18.74

Suppose for global radiation, the mV reading is 10, then to convert it in W/m2, calculation is

given below: (10 / 18.78) X 1000 = 532. 48 W/m2

Suppose for diffuse radiation, the mV reading is 2, then to convert it to W/m2, calculation is

(2/18.74) x 1000 W/m2.

 26

3.2.3 PV-TEG HYBRID SYSTEM

CALCULATIONS INVOLVED:

Fig 3. 4 Circuit diagram of the hybrid PV-TEG system

R (Load) = 20 ohm

iL (load current or current in the circuit ) = 0.252 A

Vl (load voltage) = iL*R = 0.252*20 = 5.04 V

3.2.4 COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS SIMULATION

COMSOL Multiphysics is a simulation software which is used to study and examine the

effects without using the real hardware. Real world applications and its effects could be

observed and simulated using this software. The objective of all these simulations is to copy,

as nearly possible, effects that are observed and viewed in reality. Some of these are:

electromagnetics, heat transfer and fluid flow etc. Since the real world incultates all these

effects, therefore simulation should also.

Light ( Electromagnetic wave EMW) equations:

 27

Fig 3. 5 Comsol simulation of TEG system

Fig 3. 6 Comsol simulation of PV system

3.3 MONITORING SYSTEM

Monitoring System has been integrated with the PV-TEG Hybrid System to enhance its

productivity and lifeline. There have been instances where incorporating a monitoring system

with the existing generation system resulted in improved results and at the same time this

helps the consumer to continuously have a record of the parameters such as current, voltage

and power. Monitoring of PV-TEG System was implemented using Internet of Things (IoT).

Internet of Things involves the usage of appropriate sensors connected using a

communication network and internet technology. In particular, Current sensor of range 20A

and a voltage sensor of 25V range was used. Arduino was the interface that received the

sensor values which were further transferred serially to the Wi-Fi module Node MCU. The
 28

values were stored on real time basis which were accessed using an android application

named “Blynk”.

Fig 3. 7 Monitoring System

3.3.1 CURRENT AND VOLTAGE ACQUISITION CIRCUIT (SENSORS)

Arduino requires a supply voltage of 5V. Therefore voltage divider circuit is used using 1k and

10k ohm resistors so that any voltage surge could be avoided. Voltage value will be given by

the analog pin of Arduino. The equation involved for calculating values in a potential divider

is:

Vout = (R2 / (R1 + R2)) * Vin

If the divider for the Arduino voltmeter is operating properly, then Vout will be a maximum of

5V, and so the Vmax can be calculated as:

Vmax = 5.00 / (R2 / (R1 + R2))

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Fig 3. 8 Current Sensor

For current measurement we have used a current sensor ACS712 (20A). ACS712 measures

positive and negative 20Amps. The proposed Current sensor provides the values of the current.

These values are used in the proposed system for calculating power.

3.3.2 ARDUINO

In this project, Arduino board used is Arduino UNO. It is based on Atmega 328

microcontroller and has an operating voltage of 5V. It consists of 20 pins out of which 6 pins

can be operated as analog pins. These analog pins are connected to the current and voltage

sensors which has been discussed earlier. The Arduino UNO board was interfaced with these

sensors. Arduino sketch was compiled and loaded using Arduino IDE with the help of

programming. These values are monitored so as to calculate the power of the system. The

measured and calculated sensor data has been transferred serially to an IoT platform through

the receiver and transmitter pins.

3.3.3 NODE MCU

The IoT platform used in the project was Node MCU. Node MCU is an IoT platform which is

open source and programmable in Arduino IDE. It has built-in output and input ports which

are similar to the Arduino. Its firmware runs on the ESP8266 SoC (System on Chip). This

Wi-Fi module is connected to an internet connection and is responsible for storing data
 30

received serially from the Arduino. A micro USB port was used to upload the program onto

the Wi-Fi module. This platform helps in real time monitoring of the parameters and display

the results using an android app named “Blynk”.

EXECUTION OF THE PROGRAM

Step 1: PV Panel along with TE Generator feeds the input as current and voltage to their

respective sensors.

Step 2: Arduino receives the obtained sensor values through its respective pins.

Step 3: Node MCU acts as a Wi-Fi Module which is connected to an internet connection.

Step 4: Serial Transmission takes place between Arduino and Node MCU.

Step 5: Node MCU stores the current and voltage values.

Step 6: Blynk application is used to display these values in appropriate graphical

representations.

Step 7: The parameters are monitored on a real time basis.

Fig 3. 9 Work flow of the system

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3.3.4 BLYNK APP

Blynk is a service platform to connect the Node MCU and the android app. In this project, the

data from the PV-TEG Hybrid System and from Node MCU was monitored in real-time on

the android app. Its cloud service was used to access the stored data and can be retrieved

using a CSV file. Blynk app is provided with the library to connect the Node MCU and the

sensors and Blynk app (on android). The app displays the data in the form of graphs which

helps in real-time monitoring and ensures better performance of the system.

Fig 3. 10 Sample screenshot of Blynk App

3.4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In generating system, we have got the experimental readings in terms of load

current, load voltage, open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current(Isc) of

PV panel, TEG and combined PV-TEG system at different intervals of time.

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Table 3. 5 Experimental readings of TEG

LOAD LOAD TEMPERATURE

TIME CURRENT VOLTAGE (℃)
(mA) (V) HOT SIDE COLD SIDE PCM
T=0 3.6 0.189 45 37 37
T = 5 min 23.7 0.289 46 37 36
T = 15 min 23.8 0.290 56 37 36
T = 25 min 25 0.303 65 37 36

Corresponding Graphs

30
Load Current

20

10

0
45 46 56 65
Temperature (Hot Side)

Load Current

30
Load Current

20

10

0
37 37 37 37
Temperature (Cold Side)

Load Current

30
Load Current

20
10
0
37 36 36 36
Temperature (PCM)

Load Current
 33

30
25
Load Voltage
20
15
10
5
0
45 46 56 65
Temperature (Hot Side)

Load Voltage

0.35
0.3
Load Voltage

0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
37 37 37 65
Temperature (Cold Side)

Load Voltage

0.4
Load Voltage

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
37 36 36 65
Temperature (PCM)

Load Voltage

Table 3. 6 Experimental values at initial conditions

PV Panel TEG
Voc = 19.9 V Voc = 0.189 V
Isc = 0.5 A Isc = 3.6 Ma
 34

Table 3. 7 Experimental values hybrid PV – TEG system

LOAD LOAD TEMPERATURE OPEN SHORT

TIME CURRENT VOLTAGE (℃) CIRCUIT CIRCUIT
(min) (A) (V) HOT SIDE COLD SIDE PCM VOLTAGE CURRENT
(V) (A)
T = 0 (Low 0.05 1.17 36 34 34
Radiation)
T = 10 0.1 2.4 41 38 37
T = 15 0.125 2.56 44 40 40
19.6 0.51
T = 20 0.252 5.0 47 41 41
T = 25 0.282 5.6 48 42 42
T = 35 0.235 4.7 40 36 35

Corresponding Graphs

0.3
Load Current

0.2

0.1

0
36 41 44 47 48 40
Temperature (Hot Side)

Load Current

0.3
Load Current

0.2
0.1
0
34 38 40 41 42 40
Temperature (Cold Side)

Load Current

0.3
Load Current

0.2

0.1

0
34 37 40 41 42 40
Temperature (PCM)

Load Current
 35

6
5
Load Voltage

4
3
2
1
0
36 41 44 47 48 40
Temperature (Hot Side)

Load Voltage

6
5
Load Voltage

4
3
2
1
0
34 38 40 41 42 40
Temperature (Cold Side)

Load Voltage

6
5
Load Voltage

4
3
2
1
0
34 37 40 41 42 40
Temperature (PCM)

Load Voltage

LOAD LOAD TEMPERATURE OPEN SHORT

CURRENT VOLTAGE (℃) CIRCUIT CIRCUIT
HOT COLD SIDE PCM VOLTAGE CURRENT
SIDE
Without 0.3 mA 0.028 V 31 30 29 5.4 mV 0.3 mA
Radiation
 36

COMSOL SIMULATION & MONITORING PART

COMSOL SIMULATION :

In this simulation, study of effect of variation in temperature and irradiance has been done to

study the changes in Electric field as given in figure 3.6

Monitoring Part- Blynk App :

In Blynk Application, corresponding graphs of power, current and voltage are displayed with

data values as in fig 3.10

 37

CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION

Now-a-days solar energy is in demand due to increased price of fossil fuels as well as

growing energy demands. Also it is renewable, clean, environmental friendly, low noise, low

cost etc., therefore it has a great future prospect and it’s crucial to use renewable energy and

monitor it. Analysis of renewable energy usage could be monitored by the user at a remote

location using Wifi Module and Internet using IoT. This system is cost effective. This enables

the productive use and thus it reduces the power deficiencies.

Also Thermo-electric generator in PV-TEG system acts as a heat pump. Heat Pump as

coolant can recover the PV cell efficiency by 25–35% for the PV/TE system. It could be

shown by experimental values that PV cell power increases by almost 35% when used with

TEG system than the alone PV system operation without TEG.

The project can be further improved by utilizing the results and values of the project itself,

i.e, data values received here can easily predict the future values of the upcoming

experimental parameters, varaiables and events. The data fed in cloud could be analysed

using MATLAB. End user can interact with web application as well as android application.

Also single and dual axis tracker can be implemented to increase the efficiency of PV system.

On a massive industrial scale, monitoring system can be integrated with PLC software and

digital meters to form a SCADA system for a hybrid System.

 38

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