A portable solar thermoelectric generator

A new design, locally manufactured, solar powered thermoelectric generator is proposed. The system consists of two subsystems, namely; the solar collector and the thermoelectric module. The solar collector is an elliptic paraboloia dish 1.2 m in diameter which consists of twenty segments assembled together. The dish is carried on a simple stand which enables manual tracking of the Sun. The stand and the dish can be disassembled in a small bag. The dish focuses the Sun's rays on to the horizontal selective hot side surface of the thermoelectric module. The maximum temperature is recorded to be 225/sup 0/C. The thermoelectric module consists of two modules each 15 watts. The heat receiver is a selectively coated rectangular copper plate of 0.18 m by 0.1 m with glass cover to reduce heat losses. The cold side of the module is cooled naturally using a 12 fines alumium heat exchanger Thermolectric generators provide a valuable option in supplying small power at remote locations. They are suited for battery chargers on radio and similar installations. The thermoelectric modules give the least expensive source of electric generation, since they provide power without service, repair or maintenance.