An Investigation Into the Factors Affecting the Voltage Output of a Solar Cell
My aim is to try and find out how much the voltage is affected when
exposing different sized areas of a solar cell to a light source. From
this I will also establish the energy of each photon and
approximately, the number of freed electrons, which can make an
electric current flow.
I know that light consists of packets or quanta of energy called
photons. When electromagnetic radiation such as light shines on
materials (usually metals), which emit electrons the light photons
containing energy are captured by the electrons. This means that the
electron absorbs the energy from a photon thus allowing it to escape
from the surface of its material. For each light photon landing on the
surface of a material which emits electrons, an electron can be
'free'.
I know that solar cells contain thin wafers of silicon protected by
glass. When light photons strike the surface of the solar cell, energy
from the photon is absorbed by an electron. The electron needs a
certain minimum energy to escape the material but excess energy or
surplus energy is transferred to the electron as kinetic energy. Thus
creating an electric force, this pushes the electrons around a
circuit, known as an electric current, when the solar cell is
connected up. The size of the voltage depends on the number of flowing
or 'freed' electrons.
Energy of photon
Energy required to remove electron from metal
Kinetic energy of escaping electron
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= +
From looking at the methodology of my preliminary experiment I know
that there are many other variables. In my preliminary experiment my
main aim was to investigate as many other variables as I could think
of, which might affect the output or voltage. I did this because by
considering all the other variables I am able to regulate them,
keeping my experiment as fair as possible. The other variables or
independent variables that I have noted from my preliminary
The second method of measuring three phase power is the useful for both balanced and unbalanced loads. By connecting a wattmeter with its current probes in series with red phase and volt probes between red and yellow phase. The second wattmeter should be connected with its current probes in series with the blue phase and the volt probes between the blue and yellow phases. By adding these two values together there total power for the system can be
5. For the first test, test the amount of resistance when the large fan is off.
it to a 5V power supply as a more convenient way of measure. As the
This chapter explains the passive solar design techniques both in general context as well as in context of havelis. It also explains the key factors of passive solar design used in havelis of Rajasthan.
I plan to set up the apparatus with a 2 meter rules to measure the
Solar cells have been around since 1883, when the first solar cell was created. Even though they have been around for so long, many people still wonder why they have not been implemented into wide-scale usage already. Solar cells today are highly efficient and can provide enough energy to power many cities today. But what is holding them back from being used in developing countries that have a chance to base their society around them, or in already developed countries? Simply put- the cost.
· B-phase transformer (EMTU-TT01) · Feedback electronic wattmeter · Multi-range moving-iron ammeter · Instrument voltage transformer THEORY AND INTRODUCTION ----------------------- Transformers are used all over the world to step-up and step-down electricity. The transformer is one of the most commonly used electrical devices. The reason the transformer is so popular is because they range in size from 240V to well over 240kV, stepping -up and stepping-down electricity all over the world.
Solar Energy Life is sustained by the energy from the sun. Without the sun all plants and animals would die. The sun provides 99.98% of the energy, which naturally flows through the surface environment of the earth. Put another way, the sun supplies 5000 times more energy than all other sources combined. This emphasizes the importance of solar energy to us.
Our challenge topic is to make solar energy more economical. By doing so we need to make solar energy more efficient. Although the sun provides a lot of energy, we are currently only able to efficiently convert 10 to 20 percent of it into electricity. This topic is very challenging because costs of electricity that is provided by solar energy is around 3 to 6 times more expensive than the current prices of electricity. Storage is another problem that we face because it 's rather hard to storage solar energy, unlike storing other sources of energy like heat. This challenge exists because fossil fuel produces toxic waste such as carbon dioxide which pollutes the climate we live in. Fossil fuel which is our main source of energy will one day run out and we will need solar energy to replace it. Solar energy produces no waste, and with no harmful leftover. “Solar energy is radiant
Solar collectors are special type of heat exchangers that transform solar radiation energy into thermal energy. The key component of all solar system is the solar collector. This is a device which absorbs the solar radiation from sun converts into heat and transfers this heat to a fluid ( air, water, oil ) passes through the collector. The solar energy collected is carried from the circulating fluid either directly to the hot water or to a thermal energy storage tank from which can be utilized for use at night or cloudy days.
The drastically increasing prices of fossil fuel and gasoline are making it harder for us to afford it. The fossil fuel is a natural resource which is reducing the supply of our reserves every second. It is one of the main sources for spreading pollution and global warming which is affecting our health as well as our environment. Solar energy is a suitable replacement of fossil fuel in term of green environment, recyclable, affordability and long lasting. Although, there are still many issues with solar energy which needs to be solved, but its availability far exceeds any conceivable future energy demands. A number of benefits could be gained from solar energy which includes dishes that concentrate the sun rays to heat fluid which drives engine and produce power. The installation of solar energy panel is very convenient and it could be attached on the roof of the car and building or any surface which has direct access to sun light in order to generate cheap and affordable electricity.
The Earth captures around 342 W/m2 of energy from the sun. This energy is in the form of solar radiation, which the atmosphere reflects about 77 W/m2 and will absorb around 68 W/m2 of solar radiation annually. Therefore, the Earth’s surface is receiving, on average, about 197 W/m2 of solar radiation annually. This amount of energy received is roughly more than 10,000 times the amount of all energy humans consume per year. This energy can be used to produce electricity or heat. This energy source is not being used to it’s potential considering how much effort would come into effect to store and transport this energy.
measurement are interchanged. Now the same voltage V is applied to the terminals of the small
Generally one of the most well known kind of solar systems, photovoltaics are found across multiple common solar applications. Photovoltaics make up solar panels across nations and can stand alone in a glass casing to act as a solar charger for cars and batteries (Hezel 2003, p 554). They can be attached to rooftops or stand together in solar farms, acting as a solar power grid.
Solar Cell Experiment Aim: To see how individual factors affect the output of a solar cell. Factors affecting the output of a solar cell: This experiment is going to be performed in the confines of a school laboratory, and so the complexity and cost of the experiment(s) should reflect this. However, to see how different factors affect the solar cell output, I will need to perform at least two experiments. The question is, which ones? · Distance from the light source will affect the solar cell output, because intensity of light on the solar cell will decrease, the further away from the light the cell is.