A solar cell is basically a semiconductor pn junction device. The cells are tested under varying resistance loads and varying light levels. Solar cell, also called photovoltaic cell, any device that directly converts the energy of light into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. Using photovoltaic cells also called solar cells, solar energy can be. The theoretical studies are of practical use because they predict the fundamental limits of a solar cell, and give guidance on the phenomena that contribute to losses and. A solar cell is made of two types of semiconductors, called ptype and ntype silicon.
In chapter 20 we introduce different concepts related to solar thermal energy. A simple solar cell experiment the following experiment was performed using a commercial polycrystalline silicon solar cell with an active area of 8. The objective of this experiment is to explore solar cells as renewable energy sources and test their efficiency in converting solar radiation to electrical power. This was because i tried to setup before dawn and things began to gather dew. Solar energy can also be used to produce electricity. The solar cell system we developed in this project is dyesensitized solar cell, composed of the tio 2 layer acting as the. Two meters mounted on the front panel to measure the solar cell voltage and current.
In chapter 21, which is the last chapter of the regular text, we discuss solar fuels, which allow to store solar energy on the long term in the form of chemical energy. The physics guide is a free and unique educational youtube channel. In the ntype layer, there is an excess of electrons, and in the ptype layer, there is an excess of positively charged holes which are vacancies due to the lack of valence electrons. Solar cells are made of two thin pieces of silicon, the substance that makes up sand and the second. We modified the procedure a bit, trying to enhance the efficiency of the resultant cells, so we will touch on the modifications of the process. Two ways to make electricity from solar energy are. Solar cell mounted on the front panel in a metal box with connections brought out on terminals. Department of energys office of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Effect of temperature on a solar panel results carrying out the experiment.
Mar 23, 2019 solar cell is a device or a structure that converts the solar energy i. You can determine the influence of light intensity on the power of the solar module. Jul 28, 2017 the physics guide is a free and unique educational youtube channel. Solar energy can be part of a mixture of renewable energy sources used to meet the need for electricity. This apparatus allows students in introductory physics course to plot iv characteristics of a solar cell by a simple experiment. To do this, record two further characteristic curves, changing the distance between the lamp and the solar module e. In this experiment a variable resistor is used to obtain a series of voltage and current pairs.
Short circuit current, i sc, flows when the external resistance is zero v 0 and is the maximum current delivered by the solar cell at a given illumination level. In addition to reflecting the performance of the solar cell itself, the efficiency depends on the spectrum and intensity of the incident sunlight and the temperature of the solar cell. Experiment instructions to carry out an investigation into the factors affecting the voltage produced by a solar cell. Photovoltaic cells are also called pv cells or solar cells for short. Apparatus for characteristic study of solar cell model no. Because boron has one less electron than is required to form the bonds with the surrounding silicon atoms, an electron vacancy or hole is created. An experiment to measure the ivcharacteristics of a silicon solar cell.
Solar cells are characterized using a voltage current curve. P s1 characteristic curve dark and light iv of the solar module. Jun 20, 2017 photovoltaic solar cell ppt and pdf report. Since the voltage is too small for most applications, to produce a useful voltage, the cells are connected in series into. Exploring solar energy student guide seven activities grades. I tested all the tracking and data logging software routines before running the experiment outside with the real tracker hardware. P s1 characteristic curve dark and light iv of the solar.
Since the efficiency of a diode is dependent on its temperature, you will want to be careful that the photocell temperature is kept constant throughout the. Students are introduced to the concept of converting sunlight to electricity with photovoltaic pv cells by conducting a lab activity to determine the effect of several variables on the output of a pv cell. In order to get readings that encompassed the full range of the multimeter three solar cells were attached in series, their voltages add. The basic principle behind the function of solar cell is based on photovoltaic effect. Solar cells are usually coated with antireflective materials so that they absorb the maximum amount of light energy. Apparatus 17 v nominal thin film amorphous silicon solar module, four 100 w halogen lamps, small electronic circuits to control load voltage of solar panel, standard data acquisition equipment. We also compare operation and e ciencies of devices in section 10. Experimental arrangement for solar cell characteristics apparatus. The rate of energy generation or power from the solar cell. Hoedsc01 is an effective tool for evaluating the characteristics of solar cell. Be sure to record the correct units with your measurements. A perovskite structured compound is a hybrid organicinorganic lead or tin halidebased material and also has the active layer for harvesting the light. For the entire procedure, see the nanocrystalline solar cell kit from the institute for. It is a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device whose electrical characteristics, such as current, voltage, or resistance, vary when exposed to light individual solar cell devices can be.
Repeat the experiment for different values of lamp voltage say150, 200. A solar cell is a semiconductor pn junction diode as shown in figure 1. Nowadays, many households have converted their home to be powered solely by solar power, reaping all the advantages offered by the sun. Multiply the panel area times the incoming solar radiation to find the maximum possible power if the panel converted all solar radiation to electricity. A schematic of the pvelectrolysis system is shown in fig. At a distance of 20 cm the solar module must only be illuminated for the duration of the experiment. Materials on the international space station forward. The resulting curve is a measure of the overall performance of the cell.
Solar photovoltaic cells introduction one method of converting energy from the sun solar energy is to use a solar cell also known as a photovoltaic cell. These solar cells are fabricated using a combination of thin film deposition and etching techniques. When charged by the sun, this basic unit generates a dc photovoltage of 0. Various photovoltaic pv solar cell technologies are currently being developed in three. Photovoltaic panels are oriented to maximize the use of the suns light, and the system angles can be. Solar powered toys, calculators, and roadside telephone call boxes all use solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity. A solar cell consists of a layer of ptype silicon placed next to a layer of ntype silicon fig.
Experiments with photovoltaic cells university of oregon. The solar cell system we developed in this project is dyesensitized solar cell, composed of the tio 2 layer acting as the electron carrier and the organic dye layer acting. Measurement of short circuit current iesc with biasing the solar cell and compare it. The short circuit current is a function of the pn junction area collecting the light. Solar cells produce direct current dc electricity and an inverter can be used to change this to alternating current ac electricity. I setup the equipment outside once the day began to warm. An experiment to measure the ivcharacteristics of a silicon. Alternative methods of solar energy are discussed in part v. Voltage for an actual solar cell under various illumination conditions. Record the incoming solar radiation in using the sdl1 solar data logger described in the previous section. Near the junction of the two layers, the electrons on one.
Heat the solar cell with a hair dryer for 15 seconds, take a reading. The solar cell is a commercially available triplejunction solar cell manufactured by. Few facts of solar energy are explained below a perovskite structured compound is present in perovskite solar cell. Experiments with pv cells uo solar radiation monitoring. Heat the solar cell for 30 seconds, take a reading. The most obvious use for solar cells is to serve as the primary building block for creating a solar. Part 1 was an experiment to determine whether the distance of the source of light from the photovoltaic cell. Solar energy is undoubtedly the future trend of energy. Light shining on the solar cell produces both a current and a voltage to generate electric power.
Jan 16, 2015 experiment instructions to carry out an investigation into the factors affecting the voltage produced by a solar cell. The objective of this experiment is to find a distinct relationship between a solar cells power output and its angle of incident with sunlight. In the first part of the lab we wanted to see how changing the intensity of light affected the amount of electricity produced by the solar cell. Since the efficiency of a diode is dependent on its temperature, you will want to be careful that the photocell temperature is kept constant throughout the experiment. This channel covers theory classes, practical classes, demonstrations, animations, physics fun, puzzle and many more of the physics. An overview of the sequence is shown to the right figure 1. A solar cell is an electronic device which directly converts sunlight into electricity. The large surface area indicated in light blue is exposed to incident light energy. Solar water splitting by photovoltaicelectrolysis with a.
Solar cell characterization apparatus iv characteristics. When the pv cell is placed in the sun, the radiant energy energizes the free electrons. To plot the vi characteristics of the solar cell and hence determine the fill factor. The solar cell is a commercially available triplejunction solar cell manufactured by solar junction. The circuit allows the electrons to flow to the electronpoor back of the cell from the electronrich front of the cell. An experiment to measure the ivcharacteristics of a.
The aim of this lab exercise is to experimentally create the current vs. Measure the surface area of the solar cells on the photovoltaic panel. It is based on a semiconductor formed between a photosensitized anode and an electrolyte, a photoelectrochemical system. This potential generates a current which acts in the opposite direction to the photocurrent, and the net current is reduced from its short circuit value. Similarly, the open circuit voltage, v oc, is the potential that develops across the terminals of the solar cell when the external load. Standardized testing allows the comparison of devices manufactured at different companies and laboratories with. Under illumi nation from an artificial light source with an intensity of 8. If you measure the voltage of solar cell with no loadthat is the open. Characteristics of solar cell fill factor experiment youtube. Efficiency of a solar cell objective how efficient is a solar cell at converting the suns energy into power. The theory of solar cells explains the process by which light energy in photons is converted into electric current when the photons strike a suitable semiconductor device. A typical iv curve and power curve of a solar cell fig 4. Pdf the tacsat4 solar cell experiment will measure the current and voltage characteristics of advanced emcore btjm solar cells thinned to 100 microns. Use a current source representing the photoelectric current and resistors representing the shunt and series resistances.
In this video we will study the characteristics of solar cell. Part b semiconductor devices experiment series 3 solar cell solar cell prelaboratory assignment draw the equivalent circuit representing a solar cell. Specific performance characteristics of solar cells are summarized, while the methods and equipment used for measuring these characteristics are emphasized. In this weeks class we conducted a series of experiments concerning photovoltaic cells.
To study the characteristics of solar cell to study the. In practice, when a load is present a potential difference develops between the terminals of the cell. Characteristics of photovoltaic solar cells analog. The theoretical studies are of practical use because they predict the fundamental limits of a solar cell, and give guidance on the phenomena that contribute to losses and solar cell efficiency.
The ptype silicon is produced by adding atomssuch as boron or galliumthat have one less electron in their outer energy level than does silicon. Using photovoltaic cells also called solar cells, solar energy can be converted into electricity. Place the pv cell directly in the sun or under a lamp so that the cell becomes warm. Currently, solar energy is recognized as one of the most promising options to address the issue 1,2. Pv characterization lab purpose in this lab you will measure the current versus voltage for several photovoltaic cells using computer probeware. In a home setting, another light source, such as a spotlight or the sun itself, can be substituted. Study of iv characteristic of a solar cell illuminated by an incandescent lamp, at. Record the current and voltage for your solar cell when in indoors under light, direct sun, and in the shade outdoors. A solar cell uses the photovoltaic effect to convert solar radiation directly to dc electrical energy. In the first part of the lab we wanted to see how changing the intensity of light affected the. In a school classroom, this can be done by laying the cell on top of the lens of an overhead projector.
The fill factor is the degree to which the v curve approximates the j. Finding the efficiency of a solar cell while driving an electric motor. Todd kaiser montana state university solar cell lab manual july 2009 this manual was designed for use with the montana microfabrication facility at montana state university. A dyesensitized solar cell dssc, dsc, dysc or gratzel cell is a lowcost solar cell belonging to the group of thin film solar cells. The ftsce is being fielded in response to recent onorbit and ground test anomalies associated. In our solar cell experiment, we were tasked with experimenting with solar panels and how they function. The sequence is a simple set of repeating steps including oxidation, etching, diffusion, cleaning and patterning. The solar cell is the basic building block of solar photovoltaics. The overwhelming majority of solar cells are fabricated from silicon with increasing efficiency and lowering cost as the materials range from amorphous noncrystalline to polycrystalline to.
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