Due　to　their　emission-free　operation　and　high　efficiency,　photovoltaic　cells　(PVCs)　have　been　one　of　the　candidates　for　next-generation　“green”　power　generators.　However,　PVCs　require　prolonged　exposure　to　sunlight　to　work,　resulting　in　elevated　temperatures　and　worsened　performances.　To　overcome　this　shortcoming,　photovoltaic–thermal　collector　(PVT)　systems　are　used　to　cool　down　PVCs,　leaving　the　waste　heat　unrecovered.　Fortunately,　the　development　of　thermoelectric　generators　(TEGs)　provides　a　way　to　directly　convert　temperature　gradients　into　electricity.　The　PVC–TEG　hybrid　system　not　only　solves　the　problem　of　overheated　solar　cells　but　also　improves　the　overall　power　output.　In　this　review,　we　first　discuss　the　basic　principle　of　PVCs　and　TEGs,　as　well　as　the　principle　and　basic　configuration　of　the　hybrid　system.　Then,　the　optimization　of　the　hybrid　system,　including　internal　and　external　aspects,　is　elaborated.　Furthermore,　we　compare　the　economic　evaluation　and　power　output　of　PVC　and　hybrid　systems.　Finally,　a　further　outlook　on　the　hybrid　system　is　offered.　©　2022　by　the　authors.