Collecting bidirectional flow energy through a photovoltaic thermoelectric radiative cooling hybrid system to maximize the utilization of electricity from the sun and outer space

We demonstrate here that the synergistic utilization of cascaded space time based on the quality attributes of different radiation energies is an enhanced mechanism for maximizing 24 hour production of clean electricity from the sun and outer space. Here, a photovoltaic thermoelectric radiation cooling system is proposed. The photovoltaic, thermoelectric generator, and outer space are coupled in reverse order through a photothermal connection layer and a thermal conductivity enhanced radiation cooling composite film. By utilizing radiation energy concentration, energy coupling cascading utilization, and spatial reverse coupling to reduce time space temperature conflicts, the performance of the most advanced solar radiation cooling generator is improved by nearly ten times. The proposed photovoltaic-thermoelectric-radiative cooling system achieves an impressive maximum power density of 213.1875 W m⁻². The maximum power of thermoelectric generator during daytime and nighttime are 20.425 W m⁻² and 1.56 W m⁻², respectively. In addition, the heat capacity and various energy generation methods of the composite system have improved system performance and resistance to weather changes. These results promote an understanding of the complex energy quality coordination mechanism for efficient power generation using renewable thermal resources from both the sun and outer space, and contribute to its future design. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2024.