Chapter 1.

1 Solar Power by PV Cell

(By Tanmay Mazumder)

Dt. 04.02.2012

R - 00

Solar Energy:
Solar energy are being harvested by using Photovoltaic cells widely known as Solar cells. Combining numerous such solar cells the Solar Module is being fabricated which widely known as solar Panels. Sunlight is a source of energy, which make to fall on the Solar Cells to produce electricity.

1.1 Solar Cell or PV Cell:

Solar cells or Photo voltaic Cells(PV) are composed of various semiconducting materials. Semiconductors are materials, which become electrically conductive when supplied with light or heat, but which operate as insulators at low temperatures or undesired environmental condition without light or heat. Over 95% of all the solar cells produced worldwide are composed of the semiconductor material Silicon (Si). As the second most abundant element on earth. Silicon has the advantage of being available in sufficient quantities, and additionally processing the material does not a burden the environment. To produce a solar cell, the semiconductor is contaminated or "doped". "Doping" is the intentional introduction of chemical elements, with which one can obtain a surplus of either positive charge carriers (p-conducting semiconductor layer) or negative charge carriers (n-conducting semiconductor layer) from the semiconductor material. If two differently contaminated semiconductor layers are combined, then a so-called p-n-junction results on the boundary of the layers. At this junction, an interior electric field is built up which leads to the separation of the charge carriers that are released by exposure of light on the cell. Through metal contacts, an electric charge can be tapped if the outer circuit is closed by the mean of electrical load, then Direct Current flows. Each Silicon cells are approximately 10cm X 10cm large (recently also 15cm X 15cm). Protective transparent layers of cover-glass, transparent additive, anti-reflection film are provided on the cell surface to protect the PV cell and decrease reflective loss. Fig. 1 shows the

Model of Solar Cell.

Circuit of Solar Cell:

Fig.2 Circuit of Solar Cell.

Layers of Solar Cell from top to bottom:

Cover glass: A transparent protective layer of Cell from different condition. Transparent adhesive: For fixing layers Antireflection coating: To absorb max. sunlight on the cell. Front conductor: Is basically to harvest the electricity from the top of the n-type semiconductor which acts as a contactor. It should be thin enough to admit adequate amount of sunlight on the solar cell & thick enough to carry adequate amount of electric energy(current). n-Type Semiconductor: p-n junction: p-Type semiconductor: Back Plane(Back contact): It is layer of metal used to physically reinforce the cell and to provide the electrical contact at the bottom.

Working of Solar Cell:

Light, including sunlight, is also described as particles called "photons." As sunlight strikes a photovoltaic cell, photons move into the cell. When a photon strikes an electron, it dislodges the electron, leaving an empty "hole". The loose electron moves toward the top layer of the cell. As photons continue to enter the cell, electrons continue to be dislodged and move upwards. If an electrical path provided outside the cell between the top grid and the backplane of the cell, a flow of electrons begins. Loose electrons move out the top of the cell and into the external electrical circuit. Electrons from further back in the circuit move up to fill the empty electron holes.

Most cells produce a voltage of about one-half volt, regardless of the surface area of the cell. However, the larger the cell, the more current it will produce. This one-half volt is insufficient for any consumer, therefore, cells are connected together in series to increase the voltage. Several of these series strings of cells may be connected together in parallel to increase the current as well. Note: Current shall depend upon the area of the cell, broader area more the Current. These interconnected cells and their electrical connections are then sandwiched between a top layer of glass or clear plastic and a lower level of plastic or plastic and metal. An outer frame is attached to increase mechanical strength, and to provide a way to mount the unit. This package is called a "module" or "panel". Typically, a module is the basic building block of photovoltaic systems.

1.2 Characteristic Curve of Solar Cell:

Fig. 3, I-V Curve of Solar Cell The usable voltage from solar cells depends on the semiconductor material. In Silicon it amounts to approximately 0.5 V per Cell. (A 100cm silicon cell, e.g. reaches a maximum current intensity of approximately 2A when radiated by 1000 W/m.)

Characteristics of I & V in the cell:

Current(I) and Voltage(V) are affected by the resistance of the cells own circuit. The amount of available light affects current(I) production. i.e. Current intensity(I) increases with higher luminosity. Terminal voltage(V) is only weakly dependent on light radiation. i.e. temperature of the cell affects its voltage. The output (product of current & voltage) of a solar cell is temperature dependent(which means atmospheric temp. dependent). i.e. Power Output lows at high cell temperature and hence low efficiency. The level of efficiency indicates how much of the radiated quantity of light is converted into useable electrical energy.

PV Module Performance:
It is necessary to know the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic modules. A photovoltaic module will produce its maximum current(Imax) when there is essentially no resistance(R) in the circuit. This would be a short circuit between its +ve and -ve terminals. This Imax is called the short circuit current(ISC). When the module is shorted, the voltage(V) in the circuit is zero. When, Imax = ISC V=0 Conversely, the maximum voltage(Vmax) is produced when there is a break in the circuit. This is called the open circuit voltage(VOC). Under this condition the resistance(R) is infinitely high and there is no current, since the circuit is incomplete. These two extremes in load resistance, and the whole range of conditions in between them, are depicted on a graph called a IV (current-voltage) curve. Current, expressed in amps, is on the vertical Y-axis. Voltage, in volts, is on the horizontal X-axis as in the Fig. 4.

Fig. 4, I-V Curve of Solar Cell Contact: tanmay_an@yahoo.co.in