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Solar .Cell

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Moshiur Rahman Noor
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40 views7 pages

Solar .Cell

Uploaded by

Moshiur Rahman Noor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A solar cell is a source of electricity which gets electrical energy from light energy.

A solar
cell generates electricity from light. A solar cell is a device that converts energy from the sun
directly into electrical energy.

Working principal of solar cell

When light reaches the P-N junction, the light photons can easily enter in the junction,
through very thin p-type layer. The light energy in the form of photons, supplies sufficient
energy to the junction to create a number of electrons-hole pairs. The incident light, breaks
the thermal equilibrium condition of the junction .the free electrons in the depletion region
can quickly come to then-type of the junction. similarly, the holes in the depletion can
quickly come to the p- type side of the junction. once the really created free electron come to
the n-type side, cannot further cross the junction because of barrier potential of the junction.
similarly, the really created holes once come to the p-type idea cannot further cross the
junction become of same barrier potential of the junction. As the concentration of electrons
becomes higher in n-type side of the junction, the p-n junction will behave like a small
battery cell. A voltage is set up which is known as photo voltage.

Types of solar cell:

Monocrystalline:

Characteristics
Structure: Formed from single crystal of silicon
Typical module Efficiency: 13%-20%

Polycrystalline:
Structure:
Formed from multiple crystal of silicon
Typical module Efficiency: 14%-16%

Thin film:
Structure: Formed from amorphous crystal of silicon
Typical module Efficiency: 6%-12%

Solar cell structure (crystalline silicon solar cell)

The basic steps in the operation of a solar cell are:


 The generation of carriers; electron-hole pair
 The collection of the light –generated carries to produce a current.

 the generation of a potential difference across the solar cell; and


 the dissipation of power in the load and in parasitic resistances

V-I Characteristics of a Photovoltaic cell:

Materials used in solar cell:

The materials which are used for this purpose must have band gap to 1.5ev. Commonly used
materials are: Silicon, GaAs, CdTe, Culn
Photovoltaic Effect:

The generation of voltage across the PN in a semiconductor due to the absorption of light
radiation is called Photovoltaic Effect. The devices based on this effect is called
photovoltaic device.

Fig : Photovoltaic Effect

Construction of solar cell:

Solar cell consist of a n-type semiconductor and p-type semiconductor Two layers are
semiconductor and hence there is formation of PN junction. The surface is coated with anti-
reflection coating to avoid the loss a solar incident light energy due to reflection. When a solar
cell exposed by a semiconductor materials. Due to this absorbed energy, the electrons are
liberated and produce the external DC current.

Fig: Basic structure of solar cell


Circuit model solar cell:

slope characteristic near

slope characteristic near


I-V characteristics curve of solar cell:

Efficiency:

η=

The electrical efficiency depends on the spectrum and intensity of the incident sunlight and
the temperature of the solar cell.

Therefore, condition under which efficiency is measured must be carefully controlled in


order to compare the performance of one device to another. Terrestrial’s solar cells
measured under AM 1.5 conditions at a temperature at 25®c. Solar cells intended for space
use are measured under AMO condition.
Minimization of optical Loss:

 Putting anti-reflection coating on the surface


 Texturing front surface
 Minimize the front metal contact coverage area
 Making solar cell thicker to increase absorption

Advantage of solar cell:

 It is clean and non –polluting.


 It is a renewable energy.
 Solar cell does not produce noise and they are totally silent.
 They require very little maintenance.
 They are long-lasting sources of energy which can be used almost anywhere.
 They have long life time.
 They are no fuel costs or fuel supply problems.

Disadvantage of solar cell:

 Solar power can’t be obtained in night time.


 Solar cells or planes are very expensive.
 Energy has not be stored in batteries.
 Air pollution and weather can affect the production of electricity.

Application of solar cell:


 Solar car, Water pumping, Commercial bulling, Space, Telecom, Solar Home system, PV
power plant, Residential Home system.

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