Need some help with themoelectric cooling and thermoelectric generator

hello...i m new member at CE...so dnt know norms of this site..however i just need some help..regarding...thermoelectricity...is it better generating energy with TE modules or with solar cells.....and is thr any way i can build a cheap and efficient generator....using TE cooling(peltier effect)..ofcourse like the one which we use in our homes..i.e. not a portable one