# The Impact of Electrical Connections on Maximum Power Point Tracking within Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric Devices

Mashiul Huq, Slavisa Jovanovic, Philippe Poure

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Mashiul Huq, Slavisa Jovanovic, Philippe Poure. The Impact of Electrical Connections on Maximum Power Point Tracking within Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric Devices. ECT25 conference - 21st European Conference on Thermoelectrics, UL; IJL; CNRS; PROPULS', Sep 2025, Nancy, France. hal-05456445

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Submitted on 13 Jan 2026

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# The Impact of Electrical Connections on Maximum Power Point Tracking within Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric Devices

Mashiul Huq¹*, Slavisa Jovanovic¹, Philippe Poure¹

¹Institut Jean Lamour, Campus Artem - 2 allée André Guinier - BP 50840 - 54011 Nancy

*mashiul.huq@univ-lorraine.fr

**Keywords:** thermoelectric generator, photovoltaic, photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybridization, electrical connection, electronic interface, maximum power point tracking (MPPT)

The thermoelectric generator (TEG) converts heat energy to electrical energy through the Seebeck effect. This ability is especially useful in the valorization of waste heat, and is already being applied in several applications [1]. In the case of photovoltaic (PV) cells, the heat energy produced through the interactions with photons can be valorized. Indeed, the PV and TEG can be thermally coupled forming a hybridized photovoltaic-thermoelectric device (PV-TE). This way, the PV can generate electrical energy normally and the waste heat it generates can be converted by the TEG.

To use this PV-TE device in practice, it requires an electronic interface which is responsible for maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The design of this electronic interface is dependent on the electrical connection between the PV and TEG sources. The three possible connections are the parallel, series, and electrically isolated. Each connection has its merits and disadvantages [2].

The parallel connection has the constraint of requiring each electrical branch to have the same voltage. The series connection has a similar constraint but in this case, the current through the TEG and PV sources is the same. There is also a common problem with both the series and parallel connection. Since the TEG and PV sources have such different natural electrical power versus voltage characteristics, both sources can never operate at their maximum power points simultaneously (considering the sources are of a similar size in the hybrid PV-TE device). This is not the case for the electrically isolated connection where MPPT can occur separately for both sources at the same time. There are several ways to optimize each electronic interface for each corresponding electrical connection to improve their performances.

In the presentation, the impact of the electrical connections on the electronic interface design will be discussed and more detailed, with an emphasis on the advantages and drawbacks for each one.

## References

[1] Jaziri, Nesrine, et al. "A Comprehensive Review of Thermoelectric Generators: Technologies and Common Applications." Energy Reports, vol. 6, Dec. 2020, pp. 264-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.12.011

[2] Huq, M., et al. "Critical Analysis of Optimized Energy Harvesting at Small-Scale by Thermally Coupled Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric Systems." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 195, May 2024, p. 114331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114331

## Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR-21-CE50-0003)