Solar Cell

             Solar Cell

            A Solar cell is a semiconductor device that converts the energy of light directly into electrical energy.

            This conversion of light energy into electricity is known as photovoltaic effect.

            It is a form of photoelectric cell when exposed to light, can generate and support an electric current without supply of any external voltage source.

            Working and Symbol of Solar Cell

             


             Solar Cell working principle

Solar Cell working principle:

            Solar cell is a form of photoelectric cell when exposed to light can generate an electric current without supply of any external voltage source.

            When photons in sunlight strikes solar cell surface they are absorbed by semiconducting material, and electrons frees from their atoms generating electric current.

            Solar Cells are connected in series in the form of an array of panels with current and voltage specification, it produces DC current.

            Technical specifications of solar cell includes type of semiconductor used, efficiency, maximum power output and geometrical properties.

            Characteristics: Two important quantities to characterize a solar cell are,

            1. Open circuit voltage (Voc) : The voltage between the terminals when no current is drawn 

                                                                   (infinite load resistane).

            2. Short Circuit Current (Isc) : The current when the terminals are connected to each other

                                                                   (zero load resistance).

            The efficiency of a solar cell  is defined as the electric power output divided by the incident light

                                                                   energy power.

            The Fill factor FF  is calculated from I-v characteristics of solar cell.


                                                               Characteristics of Solar Cell             

            Applications:

            Solar cell panels are used in UPS, water heaters with hybrid designating backup by batteries.


For more details do visit my you tube channel EasyElectronics

You Tube link for Solar cell : https://youtu.be/0inzyoHIE-s

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