Solar ThermoElectric Evolution; Experiment #1: (Parabolic Mirror Using Single TEG and TEC)

[jimmyhackers]

you ever thought about smoking crack?

i reacon itd suit you dude!!!

[field16]

Great job on your experiment! I'm testing some of these little guys, too. I agree with you that there are so many possibilities. Any you could use them at night, unlike a solar panel, provided you have a heat source, or at least a good temperature differential.

[luc59457]

That is great... I hope to see more people in the future play around with these little things... I like the idea also of sterling engines, but the cheapest one I can find is around 1000$ and it can only produce 10-15watts. I could build one, but I would have to go and look for all the parts and inquire with a couple friends... I also love the idea of 0 moving parts. The Company I deal with is attempting to improve the efficiency of these also.

[luc59457]

I am also thinking of a new design for the tec, since I had taken it apart, I have some ideas to make it better.

[luc59457]

I have just calculated, for the tec, if I get 10 of these at 10$ a piece, that is around 100-120$... With internal resistance placed in the calculation, I should in theory get around 19.6w. A photovoltaic 18w from thesolarpowerstore is 159.95$.. I calculated this using 14v x 1.4amps.. If I connect all in series I will not get 20v, so I used 14 to be conservative. Perhaps it may be a bit more or less.