I-V Characteristics of Solar Cell Virtual Lab (I)

Physics | Modern Physics

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General Aim

To study the I-V characteristics of a solar cell (or PV cell) in dark and under illumination conditions.

 

Method of Solar Cell Virtual Lab

Simple circuit to study I-V with a lamp.

Learning Objectives (ILOs) of Solar Cell Virtual Lab

  • By the end of the i-v characteristics of solar cell experiment, the student should be able to:

  • Describe the construction and operation of the PV cell.
  • Enumerates the different factors that may affect the operation of the PV cell.
  • Analyze the equivalent circuit of the PV cell and its parameters.

Theoretical Background / Context

  • Solar cells are generally made from semiconducting materials, which are sensitive to structural and environmental factors, e.g, the light intensity, which depends on the power delivered by the solar cell.
  • Basically, solar cells are devices that perform light-to-electricity conversion by transforming light energy into electrical energy through a process known as the photovoltaic effect.
  • Solar energy conversion through the photovoltaic (PV) effect is a three-step process:

1. Generation of electron hole pairs.

2. Separation of electrons and holes.

3. Collection of separated carriers

Principle of Work

  • The solar cell is connected in a series circuit consisting of variable resistance, dc battery, ammeter and voltmeter that is connected in parallel to the cell. 
  • By continuously varying the value of the load resistance, we can obtain the I-V characteristics at different bias voltage and light intensity.

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