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CONTENTS

 What is Solar Cell

 Working Mechanism
 Why we use Solar Cell
 P-V System
 Describe different types of Solar Cell
 Efficiency
 Uses Of Solar Cell
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AIM: A project on description of Solar Cell and their

mechanism.

What is a Solar Cell: A solar cell or photovoltaic

cell, is an electrical device
that converts the energy of
light directly into electricity by
photovoltaic effect, which is a
physical and chemical
phenomenon. It is form of
photoelectric cell, defined as
a device whose electrical
characteristics, such as
current, voltage or resistance vary when exposed to light.
Individual solar cell devices can be combined to form
modules, otherwise known as solar panels. In basic term a
solar junction silicon solar cell can produce a maximum
open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.5volts to 0.6 volts.
Solar cells are being described as being photovoltaic,
irrespective of whether the source is sunlight or an artificial
light. They are used as a photo-detector (for example
infrared-detectors), detecting light or other electromagnetic
radiation near the visible range or measuring light
intensity.
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The operation of a photovoltaic (PV)

cell requires here basic attributes:
1. The absorption of light,
generating either electron-hole pairs
or excitons.
2. The separation of charge
carriers of opposite types.
3. The separate extraction of those
carriers to an external circuit.
In contrast, a solar thermal collector
supplies hear by absorbing sunlight, for the purpose either
directing heating or indirect electrical power generation
from heat. A “Photo-electrolytic cell” (photo-
electrochemical cell) on the other hand, refers either to a
type of photovoltaic cell (like that developed by Edmond
Becquerel and modern dye-sensitized solar cells), or to a
device that splits water directly into hydrogen and oxygen
using only solar illumination.

What is Solar Panel or Solar Array or Solar

Module: The solar panel or
solar array is an interconnection of
solar module to get efficient
power. A solar module consists of
number of interconnected solar
cells.
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ADVANTAGES SOLAR CELL:

1. Low maintenance, long-lasting source of energy.
2. Non-polluting and silent source of electricity.
3. Convenient and flexible source of small amount of
power.
4. Renewable and sustainable power
5. Reduces global warming

HOW SOLAR WORKS ON SYSTEM:

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WORKING MECHANISM:

WHEN LIGHT HIT THE CELLS:

1. Light energy (photons) ionizes the atoms in the silicon
and the internal field produced by the junction separates
some of the positive charges (holes) from the negative
charges (electrons).
2. The holes are swept into the p-layer and the electrons
are swept into the n-layer.
3. The charges can only recombine by passing through
an external circuit outside the material.
4. Power is produced since the free electron have to
pass through the load to recombine with the positive
holes.
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USES OF SOLAR CELLS:

1. Toys, watches, calculators
2. Electric Fences
3. Solar Lamp
4. Water Pumping
5. Water Treatment
6. Emergency Power
7. Satellites
8. Railway Signaling
9. Power pack

ELECTRIC FENCING: Electric fences are

designed to create an electric circuit when touched by a
person or animal. A component called power energizer
converts power into a brief high voltage pulse. One
terminal of the power energizer releases an electrical
pulse along a bare wire about once per second. Another
terminal is connected to a metal
rod implanted in the earth,
called a ground or earth rod. A
person or animal touching both
the wire and the earth during a
pulse will complete an electric
circuit and will conduct the
pulse, causing an electric shock. The effect of shop
depends upon the voltage, the energy of the pulse, the
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degree of contact between the recipient and the ground

and the fence.
Solar Lamp: A solar lamp also
known as a solar light, is a lighting
system composed of an LED lamp,
solar panels, battery, charge
controller and there may also be an
inverter. The lamp operates on
electricity from batteries, charged
through the use of solar
photovoltaic panel.
Solar powered household lighting
can replace other light sources like
candles or kerosene lamps. Solar
lamp has a lower operating cost
than kerosene lamps because
renewable energy from the sun is
free, unlike fuel. In addition solar
lamps produce no indoor air
pollution unlike kerosene lamps. However, solar lamp
initially has a high initial cost, and is weather dependent.
Solar lamps for use in rural situations often have the
capability of providing a supply of electricity for other
devices, such as for charging cell phones.
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SATELLITES: Solar panels on spacecraft supply

power for two main uses;
 Power to run the sensors, active heating, cooling
and telemetry.
 Power for spacecraft propulsion – electric
propulsion, sometimes called solar electric propulsion.
Gallium arsenide based solar cells are typically favored
over crystalline silicon in industry because they have a
higher efficiency and degrade more easily than silicon in
the radiation present in space. The
most effective solar cell currently
in production is multi junction
photovoltaic cells. These use a
combination of several layers of
gallium
arsenide, indium gallium phosphide, and germanium to
capture more energy from the solar cell spectrum. Leading
edge multi-junction cells are capable of exceeding 38.8%
under non-concentrated AM 1.5G illumination and 46%
using concentrated AM 1.5G illumination.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY: The following information has

been taken from the following sources:

1. Search engine used:

 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.quora.com
 www.labs.google.com
 www.reader.google.com

2. Physics NCERT Vol. 2 of class 12

3. Family encyclopedia by Dorling Kindersley