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MCL142 Assignment

This document analyzes solar PV panels as work transfer devices from a thermodynamic perspective. It discusses how solar PV cells convert sunlight into electricity via the photovoltaic effect. A thermodynamic analysis is then provided, showing that solar radiation is converted into both electrical and thermal energy according to the first law of thermodynamics. The document proves that PV cells are positive work transfer devices by examining their IV curve, which lies in the fourth quadrant, indicating that both current and voltage are negative but power is positive. This positive power can be stored and used to do mechanical work, fulfilling the definition of a work transfer device.

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Rohan Sharma
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39 views4 pages

MCL142 Assignment

This document analyzes solar PV panels as work transfer devices from a thermodynamic perspective. It discusses how solar PV cells convert sunlight into electricity via the photovoltaic effect. A thermodynamic analysis is then provided, showing that solar radiation is converted into both electrical and thermal energy according to the first law of thermodynamics. The document proves that PV cells are positive work transfer devices by examining their IV curve, which lies in the fourth quadrant, indicating that both current and voltage are negative but power is positive. This positive power can be stored and used to do mechanical work, fulfilling the definition of a work transfer device.

Uploaded by

Rohan Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MCL142 Assignment 2

Objective
To perform a thermodynamic analysis of Solar PV Panels and prove they are work transfer
devices

Introduction
In this report, we attempt to analyse the energy conversion process of a solar PV cell. Through
this, we aim to prove it is a work transfer device. To begin with, we define the following terms,
which are used later in the report.

What is work transfer? In thermodynamics, work transfer is defined as the process of energy
transfer between a system and its surroundings. Work is said to be done by a system if the only
effect on the surrounding can be reduced to the raising of a weight, even though the weight might
not actually be raised.

What is work transfer device? A work transfer device is a device that is designed to transfer
energy between a system and its surroundings in the form of work, according to the principles of
thermodynamics. In general, a work transfer device must actively transfer energy between a
system and its surroundings in the form of work, as opposed to simply controlling or measuring
energy within the system.

Basic Working of Solar PV Panel

Principle. A solar PV panel is constructed based on the principle of the photovoltaic effect.

A solar PV cell converts sunlight directly into electricity. It is made up of a thin layer of
semiconductor material, such as silicon, which absorbs photons of light from the sun. This
energy is transferred to the electrons in the semiconductor material, causing them to be knocked
loose from their atoms and creating a flow of electrons, or current. This flow of electrons is
collected by a set of conductive wires attached to the cell, and can then be used to power
electrical devices or stored in batteries.

For the purposes of this report, we use the following equivalent model for the solar PV cell.
For this, we have the following equation for the current flow. Here losses assumed are minimal

Where I_L is the current due to light and Is is the reverse saturation current, Rl is the load
resistance

Thermodynamic Analysis
The solar photovoltaic energy conversion is a thermodynamic process which generates
dual output, i.e. electrical and thermal energy, from single input, i.e., solar radiation. Below we
provide a thermodynamic analysis for this energy conversion. Here our system is the solar
photovoltaic cell and everything else is the surrounding.

First Law of Thermodynamics. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be
created or destroyed; it can only be converted from one form to another.

Consider the case when photons strike the solar pv cell with energy Ep. We assume these are
absorbed and not reflected.

1. Case 1 (Ep<Eg) :The electrical properties of the silicon are unaltered but the internal
energy of Si rises. However, the electrons in bonds gain a higher energy and attain a
higher energy level

2. Case 2 (Ep=Eg) :The electrical properties of the silicon are altered. The electron is
released from the bond and starts participating in the electrical conduction, leaving
behind a hole.

3. Case 3 (Ep>Eg) : The electrical properties of the silicon are altered as above. However,
the excess energy (Ep-Eg) is used to increase the energy of the silicon, and thus it’s
internal energy

Thus in general, (Eg) energy goes into electrical conduction and (Ep-Eg) goes into increasing the
temperature of silicon, or, per electron released
Solar PV cells as work transfer devices

We now prove PV cell is a positive work transfer device. Examine the IV curve below. This is an
estimated curve based on empirical data collected from real PV cells. Notice that the IV curve
lies primarily in the fourth quadrant.

IV curve of idealized PV cell

Now note, since the operating point (for maximum power transfer) lies in the fourth quadrant,
both I and V are negative. Thus, the power generated is positive.

This work is assumed to be dissipated in the resistor discussed in the model before.
However, this energy can be stored in a battery and then used to drive a load which corresponds
to traditional work. We discuss this below.

Consider the following circuit of the solar PV cell drives a motor to lift a mass m through a
height h.

​
The work done by the solar PV is converted to mechanical work according to the following
equation. Here we assume no thermal energy loss.

Thus we can see, the PV cell worked as a work transfer device.

References:
1. Lecture Notes (MCL142) https://web.iitd.ac.in/~pmvs/course_mcl142.php
2. PV cell Modelling, PV performance :
https://pvpmc.sandia.gov/modeling-steps/2-dc-module-iv/diode-equivalent-circuit-model
s/
3. Thermodynamic analysis of solar PV cells :
https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0927024806003436?token=8111C114CD04116
E05C5843DBD44A2B3CEC2EC5ECEDEEAE35C0E643F0ECDD4C215961F6CD3704
70F9791187BAB95ACEC&originRegion=eu-west-1&originCreation=20230317142013

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