If the First Solar Entrepreneur Hadn't Been Kidnapped, Would Fossil Fuels Have Dominated the 20th Century

[Progressive dog]

6. It makes no sense

There actually is a scientific reason why thermocouples don't make electricity when both junctions are at the same temperature. There have to be at least 2 thermocouple junctions to make a complete circuit.

There is no perhaps about why UV or visible radiation doesn't make electricity in thermocouples.
Any radiation reflected from a thermocouple can't be used to make electricity. Apparently Cove never heard of flat black paint.
Measuring Junctions

A measuring junction is the “hot” end of the thermocouple. This junction is where the two wires meet, and where temperature is measured. There are three kinds of measuring junctions:

Exposed junction – Nothing protects the wire ends, meaning that they can rust or get damaged over time.
Grounded junction – A metal sheath covers the wires (usually stainless steel). This design is much more stable and long-lasting.
Ungrounded junction – In this case, the sheath is not connected electrically to the wires. An ungrounded junction is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference.

Reference Junctions

The reference junction is the other side of the thermocouple, or the “cold” connection. To get an accurate thermocouple readout, you need to know the wires’ temperature at rest—hence the term “reference.” The reference junction is often built into the display instrument, so the user won’t even see it.
https://calfinewire.com/materials/thermocouple-wire/