Performance of a novel photovoltaic-thermoelectric system based on micro-channel heat pipe array

In the actual application of the photovoltaic-thermoelectric system with micro-channel heat pipe in buildings, the heat loss and waste will occur when the hot and cold ends of the thermoelectric devices constantly change during the whole year’s operation. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a kind of micro-channel heat pipe which uses a three-way valve to switch the direction of heat flow, and compares two modes of changing the direction of three-way valve by time and by season. Based on the Simulink software, a numerical model of the new type of photovoltaic-thermoelectric system is established. The system performance is analysed by changing the direction of three-way valve continuously according to the annual indoor and outdoor temperature, and is compared with the traditional photovoltaic-thermoelectric system at the same time. The results show that the system efficiency of changing the three-way valve by time is higher, reaching 18.75%.