Shallow solar pond thermoelectric generators

Abstract

This study introduces a new type of solar power generator by combining shallow solar ponds and thermoelectric generators. First, a mathematical model is presented for the combination using the modified version of the Hottel-Whiller-bliss equation. Then an analytical case study is also represented by solving the proper ODE. Results show a reasonable amount of power production and some interesting findings. This study used three different water bag heights of 4cm, 2cm, and 1cm. Results indicate growth in power production as a decrease happens in the water bag heights. Then the daily power production for one through one thousand parallel moduli was graphed. Total daily power production for one modulus generator was found to be about 0.1854 (Wh), 0.6070 (Wh), and 1.673 (Wh) for 4cm, 2cm, and 1cm, respectively.