10

Electronics
Photodiode and Solar panel
 Explore

Introduction:

Photodiode is a form of light sensor that converts light energy to electrical

voltage or current. It accepts light energy input to produce electric current.
Solar panels actually comprise many, smaller units called photovoltaic cells.
(Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity.) Many cells linked
together make up a solar panel.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain how a photodiode sensors switch work
2. Describe how solar panels convert solar energy to electrical energy

Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 1 of 16

 Learn
PHOTODIODE
It is also called as photodetector, photo sensor or light detector. It operates
in reverse bias condition. The p-side of the photodiode is connected with the
negative terminal of battery and the n-side is connected to the positive side of the
battery.

A type of semiconductor device with PN junction between the positive and

negative layers, an intrinsic layer is there. The photodiode accepts light energy as
an input to produce current. Normally the materials are made from Silicon,
Germanium, Indium Arsenide Phosphide and Indium Gallium Arsenide.

It has two terminals. The smaller acts as a cathode and longer terminal acts
as anode. Some photodiodes will look like Light Emitting Diode (LED).

https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Photodiode-Image-182x300.jpg

Notes to the Teacher

This module will help out students to have better understanding of
photodiode and solar panels in modern electronic devices.

Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 2 of 16

 https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Photodiode-Symbol.jpg

WORKING OF A PHOTODIODE
When a light pass through the PN junction, covalent bonds are ionized. This
generates hole and electron pairs. Photo current are produced because of the
generation of electron-hole pairs. This electron-hole pairs are produced when the
photons of energy greater than 1.1 eV(electron volt) strikes the diode. So, when the
photon enters the depletion region, it strikes the atom with high energy resulting to
the release of electron from atom structure. After that, free electrons and holes are
created.

https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Photodiode-Working.jpg

In general, electron will have negative charge and holes will have positive charge.
The depletion energy will have built in electric field and due to that electric field,
electron hole pairs move away from the junction therefore, holes move to anode and
electrons move to cathode to generate photo current. The photon absorption and
photon energy are directly proportional to each other. So, when energy of photon is
less, the absorption will also be less. This process is known as Inner Photoelectric
effect.

CONNECTING A PHOTODIODE IN AN EXTERNAL CIRCUIT

A photodiode operates in reverse bias connection where in anode is

connected to circuit ground while cathode to positive supply voltage. So, when hit
by the light, current flows from cathode to anode.

When photodiodes are used with external circuits, they are connected to a
power supply. The amount of current generated by the photodiode will be very
little. This value of current will not be sufficient to drive an electronic device. If they
are connected to an external source, it gives more current to the circuit. Then,
Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 3 of 16
 battery is used as a power source because it will help in increasing the current
value in making the external devices to have a better performance.

Applications of Photodiode

1. Photodiodes majorly find its use in counters and switching circuits.

2. Photodiodes are extensively used in an optical communication system.
3. Logic circuits and encoders also make use of photodiode.
4. It is widely used in burglar alarm systems. In such alarm systems, until exposure
to radiation is not interrupted, the current flows. As the light energy fails to fall
on the device, it sounds the alarm.

SOLAR PANEL
It works by allowing photons to knock electrons free from atoms to generate
the flow of electricity. To work, photovoltaic cells need to create an electric filed
much like a magnetic field which occurs due to opposite poles. To get this field, it
should be “doped” silicon with other materials, giving each slice of the sandwich a
positive or negative electrical charge.
So, when a photon of sunlight knocks an electron free, the electric field will
push that electron out of the silicon junction. A couple of other components of the
cell turn these electrons into usable power. Metal conductive plates on the sides of
the cell collect the electrons and transfer them to wires. At that point, the electrons
can flow like any other source of electricity.

https://cdn3.bigcommerce.com/sz25w13u/product_images/uploaded_images/solar-panel-
diagram.png

BENEFITS OF SOLAR PANEL

• Help reduce air pollution

• Renewable energy source

Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 4 of 16

 • Reduce electricity bill
• Off grid- living

Engage
Photodiode and solar panels uses light through photoelectric effect to
function our modern electronic devices. This time you will watch videos about these
two by clicking the link below. After watching the videos, kindly answer the
following questions.
LINK:

https://youtu.be/dVtATH_h0Bg
https://youtu.be/xKxrkht7CpY
Questions:
1. Discuss how photodiode sensors used as a switch?
2. How solar panels used in converting solar energy to electrical energy?

Apply

Direction: Read and understand carefully the following instructions.

A. By watching videos about the photodiode, I want you to make your own output
on photodiode as a switch. You can use your breadboard in creating your
prototype. After that, document your output by making a video of it. In your video
include the materials and process in making your connection. Don’t forget to draw
your schematic diagram.
B. Solar panels are big help to us as it uses solar energy to convert it into electrical
energy. But how this solar panel convert solar energy to electricity? Write your
answer inside the chart.

How Solar
Page 5 of 16
P

convert
solar
energy
electrical
to
 Assess

Directions: Read and understand the following instructions.

A. Multiple Choice: Write the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is a device that detects light.
a. photons b. photovoltaic cell c. photoelectric effect d. photodiode
2. It works by allowing photons to knock electrons free from atoms to generate the
flow of electricity.

a. solar panel b. photodiode c. cell d. battery

3. It is made up of many solar cells.

a. solar cell b. solar energy c. solar modules d. solar panel

4. It is widely used as buglar alarm system.

a. solar panel b. photodiode c. LDR d. battery
5. It is a process of adding impurities to a semiconductor material.
a. electric field b. doping c. photoelectric effect d. photovoltaic cell
B. TRUE or FALSE: Write T if the statement is correct and write F if the statement
is not correct.

6. A photodiode operates in a circuit in reverse bias.

7. It is a high-cost device.

8. Photodiodes are applied in safety electronics like fire and smoke detectors.

9. Solar panels work by reflecting sunlight with photovoltaic cells, generating direct
current (DC) energy and then converting it to usable alternating current (AC)
energy with the help of inverter technology.

10. It is a renewable energy source.

Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 6 of 16

 Reflect

1. What are the contributions of photodiode and solar panels in modern electronic
devices?
2. How are these two related?

Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 7 of 16

 Answer Key

Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 8 of 16

References

https://circuitglobe.com/photodiode.html

https://www.electronicshub.org/photodiode-working-characteristics-applications/

https://www.livescience.com/41995-how-do-solar-panels-
work.html#:~:text=Simply%20put%2C%20a%20solar%20panel,smaller%20units%20called%20photov
oltaic%20cells.&text=This%20all%20adds%20up%20to,junction%20between%20the%20silicon%20la
yers.

https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work/

https://www.nwwindandsolar.com/solar-power-in-seattle-and-the-northwest/how-do-solar-
systems-produce-
energy/#:~:text=Solar%2Dpowered%20photovoltaic%20(PV),to%20your%20home%20or%20busines
s.

https://www.mrsolar.com/what-is-a-solar-panel/

Q3_STE_Electronics_ Module 1 Page 9 of 16

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