SkyVolt is a compact, off-grid renewable energy system designed to generate continuous electricity using solar thermal storage and thermoelectric conversion. Unlike conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that operate only during daylight, SkyVolt combines concentrated solar heating, phase-change thermal storage, and thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to produce power both day and night.

During the day, a Fresnel lens concentrates sunlight onto a thermally conductive aluminium container filled with granite or molten salt, creating a high-temperature thermal reservoir. A radiative cooling heatsink coated with high-emissivity BaSO₄ white paint maintains a lower temperature on the cold side. The temperature difference (ΔT) across a TEG module generates electricity via the Seebeck effect. At night, stored thermal energy continues to flow through the TEG while the heatsink dissipates heat into cooler ambient air, enabling uninterrupted power generation.

SkyVolt operates without combustion, moving parts, or emissions, making it silent, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly. The system is modular and scalable, allowing multiple units to be connected for increased output. It is particularly suited for remote areas, desert environments, emergency lighting, sensor networks, and small off-grid applications.

By integrating thermal storage with thermoelectric generation, SkyVolt presents a practical micro-scale solution for continuous renewable power generation, complementing existing solar PV systems and supporting resilient, decentralised energy infrastructure.

Research paper to learn more - https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16412573