Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

The effect of light intensity on current generated by a solar cell

Research topic
Investigate factors that affect current induced on a solar cell

Research question
What is the effect of light intensity on the current induced by a solar cell

Independent variable: light intensity(lx)

Dependant variable: current (A)

Controlled variable How it will be controlled Why it will be controlled

Distance from light source Both the solar cell and the Because the intensity of light
light sensor are fixed to a incident on a solar panel
small box when being used, varies with distance from the
preventing variation in source, the variations in
distance from light source. distance from light source
between the sensor and the
cell can be a source of error.

Angle of solar cell and sensor It is fixed to the box at a The amount of light incident
to light source certain angle using markings, to a cell or sensor is
allowing the proper angle to dependent on the angle of the
be repeated. cell or sensor relative to the
source, meaning that variation
in that angle can lead to error.

Introduction:

In this investigation, I will aim to find the relationship between the intensity of light
generated by a light source, and the current generated by a solar cell. I have always been very
interested in solar cells, helping out my neighbors with their cell installations, and I’m very
interested in the possibility of solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. The mechanics to me
are extremely fascinating and I believe that this investigation presents an opportunity to learn
more about the mechanics and the function of the solar cells.

In concept, solar cells are relatively simple- a device that converts energy of the sun into
electrical energy- however, in practice, they can in fact become relatively complex. Solar cells
are primarily reliant on pn-junction diodes (The Photovoltaic Effect | PVEducation, n.d.). These
are made up of two different semiconductors. The first semiconductor has had materials added in
a process called doping, such that they have an excess of easily displaced electrons. This is
referred to as the negative or n-type region. The second semiconductor has been doped in order
to generate an excess of positive charge that can easily absorb these displaced electrons. These
Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

are called positive or p-type regions. When these regions are joined, an electric field is formed as
negative charge moves to the positive side and positive charge moves to the negative side (PN
Junction Theory, n.d.). This causes negatively charged particles to move in one direction and
positively charged particles to move in the other (Hanania et al., 2015).

When light encounters the solar cell, electrons enter into a more excited state, breaking
away from its atoms. Due to the electric field generated by the pn-junction, the positive and
negative charge generated in this process are forced opposite directions. This movement of
charge is what generates current (Hanania et al., 2015).

Due to the fact that greater intensity of light means there is more energy being absorbed
by the electrons of the solar cell, we can predict that a greater intensity of light leads to an
increase in current generated by a solar cell.

Materials and instrumentation:

● 1x small solar cell

● 1x ±2.60 Lx light sensor
● 1x light bulb
● 1x potentiometer
● 1x power source
● 1x ±500 μA ammeter
● 1x ±10 μA galvanometer
● 7x current carrying wires
● 1x computer
Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

Figure 1: set up used for experiment:

Methodology:

1. Connect the potentiometer, power source and light bulb in the following circuit

Figure 2: circuit for light source

2. Connect the solar cell to a galvanometer via the following set up:
Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

Figure 3: circuit for solar cell

3. Turn on power source

4. Set in place light sensor attached to a computer and measure light intensity
5. Replace light sensor with solar cell and measure current via the galvanometer
6. Lower resistance by a fixed amount
7. Repeat steps 4-6 until 5 data points have been achieved
8. As current exceeds measurable amounts by the galvanometer, replace the galvanometer
with an ammeter
9. Repeat steps 4-8 3 times in order to ensure repeatability of results.

Analysis

Collected data

Table 1: collected data

Light intensity (±2.60 Current (μA)(trial 1) Current (μA)(trial 2) Current (μA)(trial 3)
Lx)

390.93 30±10 40±10 45±10

942.08 120±10 160±10 145±10

2198.18 4900±500 5050±500 4500±500

3797.42 9000±500 8200±500 9500±500

4364.32 11200±500 13500±500 11100±500

Processed data

These values can then be averaged using the following process:

(30)+(40)+(45)
3
= 38
The uncertainty is calculated by subtracting the minimum value of the average from the
maximum value of the average and dividing by 2:
Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

𝑚𝑎𝑥−𝑚𝑖𝑛 45−30
Uncertainty: 2
= 2
≃ 8

Table 2: Processed data table

Light Intensity (±2.60 Lx) Current (μA)

390.93 38±8

942.08 140±20

2198.18 4815±75

3797.42 8900±650

4364.32 11930±1200

By graphing these values we can create the following graph:

Figure 4: graph relating intensity and current

Equation of line: 𝐼 = 3. 018𝑖 − 1894

Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

Conclusion
From this data, it can be concluded that the relationship between intensity of light on a
solar cell and current generated by a solar cell is linear. This is supported by the correlation of
0.9905 which indicates a very high level of accuracy. This would also match what would be
predicted as, from our knowledge of the photovoltaic effect, a greater number of photons would
result in a greater number of electrons being ejected in what one might expect to be a linear
relationship. It is interesting to note that the y-intercept is significantly smaller than 0. This
would indicate that the relationship is not quite directly proportional although it is very close.
Moreover, the presence of a x-intercept greater than 0 indicates that there is a minimum
threshold for intensity in order to generate a current. This doesn’t appear to be supported by what
one might expect based on knowledge of the photovoltaic effect. All this being said, it is difficult
to effectively evaluate a percent error due to a lack of knowledge regarding the actual solar cell
used.

Evaluation
When evaluating the efficacy of an experiment, it is important to evaluate the random and
systematic error. In terms of random error the main things to be noted are the measuring devices
used in the experiment. While the galvanometer had relatively low uncertainty when measuring
in microamps, the ammeter had about fifty times more uncertainty, meaning that as values of
current increased, so too did the random error. Similarly, the light sensor was extremely difficult
to use, with values seeming to change by large amounts without any notable change in input.
This could likely also lead to random error. That being said, random error is not nearly as
significant as systematic error due to the fact that random error can be reduced simply through
repeating the experiment. In terms of systematic error there are several things to be noted that
could lead to error being created. The first is the placement of the light sensor. While the light
sensor was fixed to a small box when taking readings, it had to be removed in order to use the
solar cell and subsequently replaced, often not being replaced in the same position. Furthermore,
when the light sensor was moved, the box it was fixed to was often moved slightly. Both of these
can result in a variability in the readings of the light sensor which would lead to error. Similarly,
when the solar cell was being used, it had to be propped on the side of the box, this often resulted
in the angle of attack of the light incident to the solar cell changing which could lead to error.
Furthermore, it is also moved when the box is moved which can also lead to error. All these
sources of error can be solved in relatively easy ways. In order to prevent movement of the box,
it would be possible to mark off where it is on a work surface using tape or a marker in order to
give a point of reference. To prevent movement of a light sensor, a similar method could be used
in which the placement of the light sensor on the box is marked with tape or a marker in order to
prevent movement. To keep the angle of the solar cell constant, it would not be difficult to
simply glue the solar cell to the box. Then, when the light sensor needs to be used, one can
simply turn the box around. Another source of error is the fluctuations in light intensity as a
result of the circuit. Due to the fact that the circuit used for the light source was a parallel circuit,
the total resistance of the circuit was lower than the lowest source of resistance resulting in a
large amount of current flowing through the power source. This caused the power source to be at
it’s limit of power generation which could lead to fluctuations in light intensity during the
Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

experiment. This could be solved by using a series circuit in order to increase the total resistance
of the circuit.
With regards to the apparent minimum threshold for light intensity to induce current,
there are some relatively easy explanations. The problem appears to come down to the quality of
solar cells being used. In an ideal solar cell there would be infinite shunt resistance (Chen et al.,
2020, p. 5), however, due to defects in the cell, it is possible for a short circuit to form within the
cell itself resulting in a lower than ideal internal shunt resistance (Shunt Resistance |
PVEducation, n.d.). Due to the fact that voltage in the cell is constant, the current and resistance
of the cell would be inversely proportional. Therefore, as the current lowers at low intensities of
light, the resistance of the cell increases. As the resistance of the cell and the shunt resistance
approach one another, a greater portion of the total current will flow through the shunt resistance
(Effect of Light Intensity | PVEducation, n.d.). Therefore, at very low intensities in which the
total current is already low, a large portion of this current could flow through the shunt resistance
instead of the primary circuit resulting in an apparent current of zero. This appears to be a
noticeable problem due to the fact that the solar cell used in the experiment was very cheap and
presumably of very low quality. Therefore, having a low enough shunt resistance for this to
become a problem is very possible. This could be solved by using a higher quality solar cell or
testing the used solar cell by shining very low intensity light and observing whether or not
current is generated.
A relatively easy extension of this experiment would be to find the relationship between
the current generated by a solar cell and the wavelength of light incident on the cell. This could
be done using filters that allow only certain known wavelengths to pass to control the
wavelength and a variable lightsource to keep intensity of light after passing through the filter
constant.

References

Chen, Q., McKeon, B. S., Zhang, S. Y., Zhang, F., Hu, C., Gfroerer, T. H., Wanlass, M.
W., Smith, D. J., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Impact of Individual Structural Defects in
GaAs Solar Cells: A Correlative and In Operando Investigation of Signatures,
Structures, and Effects. Advanced Optical Materials, 9(2), 2001487.
https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202001487

Effect of Light Intensity | PVEducation. (n.d.). PVEducation. Retrieved March 5, 2021,

from
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The photovoltaic effect | PVEducation. (n.d.). PVEducation. Retrieved March 3, 2021,

from
https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/solar-cell-operation/the-photovoltaic-effect

Amajama, J. (2016). Effect of Solar ILLuminance (or Intensity) on Solar (Photovoltaic)

cell’s output and the use of Converging lenses and X or Gamma rays to enhance
output performance. International Journal of Engineering Research and General
Science, 4(4), 284–289. http://oaji.net/articles/2016/786-1472705473.pdf
Candidate Session Number: 002937-0071

PN Junction Theory. (n.d.). Electronics Tutorials. Retrieved March 3, 2021, from

https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/diode/diode_2.html

Shunt Resistance | PVEducation. (n.d.). PVEducation. Retrieved March 5, 2021, from

https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/solar-cell-operation/shunt-resistance

Hanania, J., Stenhouse, K., & Donev, J. (2015, August 26). Photovoltaic effect - Energy
Education. Energy Education.
https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Photovoltaic_effect

PASPORT Light Sensor • PS-2106A. (n.d.). PASCO. Retrieved March 6, 2021, from
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