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Solar Unit 2 &3

Solar cells convert sunlight directly into electrical energy based on the photovoltaic effect. They consist of layers of n-type and p-type semiconductors that form a p-n junction. When sunlight is absorbed by the solar cell, electrons are excited and flow through an external circuit, generating electricity. The three main types are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous silicon cells, with monocrystalline having the highest efficiency. I-V curves characterize a solar cell's performance by showing the relationship between current and voltage under illumination.

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46 views

Solar Unit 2 &3

Solar cells convert sunlight directly into electrical energy based on the photovoltaic effect. They consist of layers of n-type and p-type semiconductors that form a p-n junction. When sunlight is absorbed by the solar cell, electrons are excited and flow through an external circuit, generating electricity. The three main types are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous silicon cells, with monocrystalline having the highest efficiency. I-V curves characterize a solar cell's performance by showing the relationship between current and voltage under illumination.

Uploaded by

richaadlakha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOLAR CELLS

Definition
•

Solar cell is also called as photo galvanic cell


Photo galvanic cell or solar cell is
the
one which converts the solar energy (energy
obtained from the sun) directly into electrical
energy.
Principle

The solar cells are on the principles


based of photovoltaic
effect.
Photovoltaic effect
•

Definition: Light
•

The generation of ener


gy
voltage across the PN
junction in a
semiconductor due to the n-type semiconductor
Electri
absorption of light cal
radiation is called p- type semiconductor Power

photovoltaic effect. The


Devices based on this
effect is called p-n junction
photovoltaic device.
Construction
•

Solar cell (crystalline Silicon) consists of a


n-type semiconductor (emitter) layer and
p-type semiconductor layer (base). The
two layers are sandwiched and hence
there is formation of p-n junction.
•

The surface is coated with anti-reflection


coating to avoid the loss of incident light
energy due to reflection.
Construction
Working
•

When a solar panel exposed to sunlight , the


light energies are absorbed by a semi
conduction materials.
•

Due to this absorbed energy, the electrons


are liberated and produce the external DC
current.
•

The DC current is converted into 240-volt


AC current using an inverter for different
applications.
Working
•

Thus when this p and n layers are connected to


external circuit, electrons flow from n-layer to
p-layer, an hence current is generated
•

The electrons that leave the solar cell as


current give up their energy to whatever is
connected to the solar cell, and then re-enter
the solar cell. Once back in the solar cell, the
process begins again.
Types of Solar cell
Based on the types of crystal used, soar cells can be classified as,
1.
Mono crystalline silicon cells
2.
Polycrystalline silicon cells
3.
Amorphous silicon cells

1.
The Mono crystalline silicon cell is produced from pure
silicon (single crystal). Since the Mono crystalline
silicon is pure and defect free, the efficiency of cell will
be higher.
Amorphous silicon cells

Amorphous silicon was obtained by


3.

depositing silicon film on the substrate like


glass plate.

•The layer thickness amounts to less than 1µm


– the thickness of a human hair for
comparison is 50-100 µm.
Comparison of Types of solar cell

Material Efficiency (%)

Mono crystalline silicon 14-17

Polycrystalline silicon 13-15

Amorphous silicon 5-7


Solar Cell I-V Characteristic Curves

The Solar Cell I-V Characteristic Curves shows the current and voltage
(I-V) characteristics of a particular photovoltaic ( PV ) cell, module or
array. It gives a detailed description of its solar energy conversion ability
and efficiency. Knowing the electrical I-V characteristics (more
importantly Pmax) of a solar cell, or panel is critical in determining the
device’s output performance and solar efficiency.

Solar Cell I-V Characteristics Curves are basically a graphical


representation of the operation of a solar cell or module summarising the
relationship between the current and voltage at the existing conditions
of irradiance and temperature. I-V curves provide the information
required to configure a solar system so that it can operate as close to its
optimal peak power point (MPP) as possible.

Solar Cell I-V Characteristic Curve

The graph shows the current-voltage ( I-V ) characteristics of a typical


silicon PV cell operating under normal conditions. The power delivered by
a single solar cell or panel is the product of its output current and
voltage ( I x V )

With the solar cell open-circuited, that is not connected to any load, the
current will be at its minimum (zero) and the voltage across the cell is at
its maximum, known as the solar cells open circuit voltage, or Voc.

when the solar cell is short circuited, that is the positive and negative
leads connected together, the voltage across the cell is at its minimum
(zero) but the current flowing out of the cell reaches its maximum,
known as the solar cells short circuit current, or Isc.

the maximum voltage available from a cell is at open circuit, and the
maximum current at closed circuit. Of course, neither of these two
conditions generates any electrical power, but there must be a point
FF = fill factor – The fill factor is the relationship
between the maximum power that the array can
actually provide under normal operating conditions
and the product of the open-circuit voltage multiplied
by the short-circuit current, ( VOC x ISC ) This fill
factor value gives an idea of the quality of the array
and the closer the fill factor is to 1 (unity), the more
power the array can provide. Typical values are
between 0.7 and 0.8.
Advantages
1.
It is clean and non-polluting
2.
It is a renewable energy
3.
Solar cells do not produce noise and they are totally
silent.
4.
They require very little maintenance
5.
They are long lasting sources of energy which can be
used almost anywhere
6.
They have long life time
7.
There are no fuel costs or fuel supply problems

14
Disadvantage

1.
Solar power can`t be obtained in night time
2.
Solar cells (or) solar panels are very expensive
3.
Energy has not be stored in batteries
4.
Air pollution and whether can affect the production of
electricity
5.
They need large area of land to produce more efficient
power supply
Polycrystalline solar cell
•

In Polycrystalline solar cell, liquid silicon


is used as raw material and polycrystalline
silicon was obtained followed by solidification
process. The materials contain various
crystalline sizes. Hence, the efficiency of this
type of cell is less than Mono crystalline cell
Unit 2

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