What is a solar cell?

A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is a device that converts light into electricity directly through a photovoltaic effect, i.e., a physical and chemical event. It is a type of electromagnetic cell, defined as being used for its electrical properties, current, voltage, or resistance, which vary when exposed to light. Everyday cellular gadgets are usually the building blocks of photovoltaic modules, collectively known as solar panels. Single junction silicon solar cell can generate an open circuit of about 0.5 to 0.6 volts.

Principle of solar cells

Solar cells are defined as a photovoltaic system(pv system), whether the source is solar light or artificial light. In addition to generating energy, it can be used as a scanner (for example, infrared detectors), to detect light or other magnetic fields near a visible distance, or to measure light intensity.

The photovoltaic effect was demonstrated first through french philosopher Edmond Becquerel. In 1839, at the age of 19, he built the world's first photovoltaic cell in his father's laboratory.

How are solar cells made?

Silicon is the material for which transistors are made of solar cells work. Silicon is a type of material called a semiconductor. A few things, especially metals, allow electricity to pass through them easily; they are called conductors. Some materials, such as plastics and wood, do not allow electricity at all to flow through them; they are called insulators. Silicon-like semiconductors are not conductors or insulators: they do not normally transmit electricity, but under certain conditions, we can cause them to do so.

A solar cell is two different layers of silicon that have been specially treated or doped to allow electricity to flow in a certain way. The bottom layer is doped so it has very few electrons. It is called p-type silicon (because electrons are poorly charged and this layer has very few). The upper layer is reversed to give off more electrons. It is called n-type silicon.

Working of solar cells

The solar cell is n-type silicon cells (black) and p-type silicon cells (red). It generates electricity by using sunlight to make electrons jump through the intersection of different silicon junctions:

• When sunlight shines on a cell, photons (light particles) explode at the top.
• Photons (yellow blobs) carry their energy down through the cell.
• Photons donate their energy to electrons (black blobs) in the lower layer, type p.
• The electrons use this force to jump across the barrier to the upper part, type n, and run out of the circuit.
• Flowing around the circuit, electrons make the lamp illuminate.

Application of solar cells

Solar cells began to be used in a prominent system when it was proposed and flew to vanguard satellite tv for pc in 1958, as a separate source of electricity in the original battery space. In the case of extra-terrestrial cells, mechanical time can be extended without significant changes to the spacecraft or its energy systems. In 1959 the USA launched Explorer 6, which contains solar-shaped solar panels, which has become a common feature on satellites. These members include 9600 Hoffman solar cells.

Solar energy is the glorious light and heat from the sun that people have been using since ancient times using a range of ever-changing technologies. Solar energy and second solar sources make up the vast majority of renewable energy available on earth.

Solar thermal technology uses solar energy to obtain heat energy. Solar thermal technology incorporates flat and medium-temperature heat collectors as well as high-temperature solar collectors using mirrors and lenses. Solar power is the conversion of renewable power from sunlight into energy, either immediately using photovoltaics (pv), indirectly using concentrated solar power, or a combination. Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar monitoring structures to focus a huge area of sunlight right into a small area.

Solar panels are devices that are used to absorb solar radiation and convert it into electricity or heat. A solar panel is a collection of solar cells (or photovoltaic), which can be used to generate electricity with the effect of photovoltaic.

Advantages of solar cells

The following are the benefits or advantages of solar cell:

• The solar energy is renewable energy source. It is therefore not a danger to the environment.
• It is much easier to work with compared to other renewable energy sources.
• It does not make any noise as it has no moving parts.
• It does not produce emissions or radiation.
• It does not need oil and water to produce electricity.
• Solar cells have a long life span, approximately 30 years.
• Pv cells work in cloudy weather too.
• It is very expensive.
• It requires a small investment.
• It's easy to maintain and requires minimal adjustment.
• The solar cell-based facility is based on modular design so it can be used as a small-size power source and a large-size energy source.

Disadvantages of solar cells

The following are the issues or disadvantages of solar cell:

• It cannot be used when there is no light in any source.
• It brings the highest installation costs.
• During the cloudy season, less energy is produced.
• A large area is required for the use of solar panels or cells.
• Closed grid applications require power saving.
• Photo-voltaic solar cells produce direct current (dc). It requires dc electrical equipment or inverters (converting dc into ac) for use with solar-based plants.

Common Mistakes

Remember that, the general rule for placing solar panels is that, solar panels must face south of the true.

Context and Application

In each of the expert exams for undergraduate and graduate publications, this topic is huge and is mainly used for:

• Bachelor of technology in the electrical and electronic department
• Bachelor of Science in physics
• Master of Science in physics

Related Concepts

• Photodiode
• Photocell

Practice Problems

Q1 The principle of a solar cell is the same as the photodiode.

(a) True

(b) False

Correct option- (a)

Explanation- The solar cell works on the same principle as the photodiode, except that no external bias is used and the assembly area is kept very large.

Q2 The I-V characteristics of a solar cell are drawn in the fourth quadrant.

(a) True

(b) False

Correct option- (a)

Explanation- The I-V features of the solar cell are drawn in the fourth quadrant of the coordinate axis because the solar cell does not pull yet but gives the same load.

Q3 What metal is used for solar cell?

(a) Gold

(b) Silicon

(c) Silver

(d) Aluminum

Correct option- (b)

Explanation- Silicon is the material for which transistors (small switches) are made of solar cells work. Silicon is a type of material called a semiconductor.

Q4 The output of solar cell is ____.

(a) 0.4 and 0.5 volt

(b) 0.3 and 0.4 volt

(c) 0.2 and 0.3 volt

(d) 0.5 and 0.6 volt

Correct option- (d)

Explanation- A typical amorphous silicon solar cell produces between 0.5 and 0.6 volts. The current output varies depending on cell size.

Q5 The percent efficiency of solar cell is ____.

(a) 1 to 5 %

(b) 5 to 10%

(c) 10 to 15%

(d) 15 t0 20 %

Correct option- (c)

Explanation- The efficiency of the solar panel indicates the amount of energy that the sun does not have in a solar cell that can convert it into electrical energy. The average efficiency of solar cell efficiency is 10-15%.