A Fresnel Thermoelectric Power Generator System

Project Goal The unit will actively follow the location of the sun across the sky. A Fresnel lens concentrates the rays of the sun onto a copper plate that heats one side of the Thermoelectric Module (TEM); while the other side is cooled with the use of a low power fan. The heat flow across TEM results in current flow that can be stored in a battery for later use.

Concept:

Tracking Algorithm:

System Operations:

Thermoelectric Effect:

Harvest the Sun

Solar tracking via a combination of passive and active tracking. Active tracking is performed with the use of a quad-sensor and an efficient tracking algorithm.

Ashok Kodigala, Charles Garcia, Richard Schapker, Prof. John Bowers Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106

To maximize the power output from the TEM module, the device needs to actively track and face the sun. To achieve this goal, the unit contains a quad silicon sensor. The Micro-controller Unit (MCU) samples the quad-sensor and controls the motors to ensure that the Fresnel lens is directed straight at the sun.

A TEM is a solid-state device that converts thermal energy from an applied temperature gradient into electrical energy. This method of generating electricity is called the Seebeck Effect. The flow of charge across the p-type and n-type material results in a net current.

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Sample Trial Run

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Test Run Data: