EXPERIMENT NO. 1

• AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT:• Study of both the current-voltage

characteristics and the power curve to find the maximum power(MPP) and efficiency of a solar panel.

Credits:

• Saurabh Sharma 59

Batch-2

Group-E

Theory:

• A SOLAR CELL is a solid state electrical device that converts

energy of light directly into electricity by Photovoltaic Effect.

• When sunlight hits the solar panel generation of charge

carriers(electrons and holes) in a light absorbing material and

separation of the charge carriers to conductive contact, that

will transmit the electricity.

Electron- Hole Formation

• When such photon enters the semiconductor, it may be absorbed and promote an electronfrom the valence band to the conduction band.

• Therefore, a vacant iscreated in the valenceband and it is calledhole.

hole

Valence band

Conduction band

electron

Apparatus:

P

N

Sunlight energy Silver Coating

Metal Contact

Junction

Metal Contact

Schematic Diagram of Solar Cell

Circuit Diagram:

Solar cells panel

P1 P2

Voltmeter(0-10V)Ammeter(0-100mA)

Light energy

n-type semiconductor

p- type semiconductorElectrical

Power

p-n junction

Observation:

S . No. Resistance,R

Voltage, V (volt)

Current, I (mA) Power Calculated, P=V.I (mW)

1. Infinite 2 0 0

2. 199 1.99 10 19.9

3. 97.5 1.95 20 39

4. 63.67 1.91 30 57.3

5. 46.5 1.86 40 74.4

6. 36 1.80 50 90

7. 28.33 1.70 60 102

8. 22.71 1.59 70 111.3

9. 17.88 1.43 80 114.3

10. 13.67 1.23 90 110.7

11. 0 0 100 0

Voltage v/s Current Graph

Experimental

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

Ideal

Voltage (V)

Cu

rren

t I

(m

A)

MPP

IDEAL GRAPH FOR Power v/s Voltage Graph

Experiment

Ideal

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

Voltage (V)

Pow

er P

(m

W)

MPP MPPIdeal

Analysis of results

As , we can see from above graphs that experimental graphs deviates slightly from Ideal graphs. They deviates because of following reasons :

• The temperature in the room is not ideal(298K) for accurate measurement.

• Connection may be loose or wrong.

• Angle of the lamp may not be exactly 45.

• Experiment should be conducted at the sea level to get ideal results.

• Range of Ammeter and Voltmeter may not be suitable for the experiment.

Calculation:

Fill Factor=V(max.)x I(max.) 1.367x80 0.55

Voc x Isc 2 x 100

Voc = max. value of saturation current.

Isc = e.m.f. Generated by photovoltaic cell in open circuit.

Efficiency(ɳ) =Poutput = 11.43 = 0.72

Pinput 15.88

Poutput = max. power point (see graph).

Pinput = approx. irradiance x Area of solar cell.

Application:

• Rural electrification: The provision of electricity to rural areas derives important social and economic benefits to remote communities throughout the world like power supply to remote houses, electrification of the health care facilities, irrigation and water supply and treatment.

• Ocean navigation aids: Many lighthouses are now powered by solar cells.

• Telecommunication systems: radio transceivers on mountain tops are often solar powered.

Application contd…

• Solar cells are often electrically connected and encapsulated as a module. These modules often have a sheet of glass on the front (sun up) side, allowing light to pass while protecting the semiconductor wafers from climate conditions. Solar cells are also usually connected in series in modules, creating an additive voltage.