Hybrid Photovoltaic–Thermoelectric Generators: Materials Issues

This chapter is dedicated to present the state of the art of hybrid photovoltaic–thermoelectric generators based on either organic or inorganic photovoltaic cells. Present challenges and future perspectives of this approach to energy harvesting will be discussed with a special emphasis on materials issues. It will be seen that both classes of PV materials deserve attention in view of applications in hybridized converters, although absorber stability and degradation of its PV efficiency with increasing temperatures sets limitations to currently achievable efficiencies, also in view of the still low efficiency of thermoelectric stages.