Module 2

Part E
Solar Photovoltaic Cell
Introduction
 Direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy by photovoltaic effect.
 Device which converts sunlight to electricity by means of photovoltaic effect is called
as solar cells.

(State
Highway)

(Silver)
(National Highway)
Cell Structure
Silicon to module
Introduction

 Solar cell consists of single crystal of silicon into which doping material is
diffused to form a semi-conductor.
 Operating temperature of 28oC and efficiency of 10% with the size of cell as 2
cm * 2 cm.
 Silicon is available abundantly but difficult to extract and refine and cost of
cell is high.
 Several other materials like cadmium sulphide, Cds/Cu 2S cells.
 From small to large power plants, it can be used.
 PV system consist of
 Solar cell array, Load leveller, Storage system, Tracking system
Solar cell

 Photovoltaic effect can be

described easily for p-n junction in
a semiconductor.
 Silicon – four valance electrons
 Doping from one side by a five
valence electron material like
arsenic or phosphorus, it becomes
n-type semiconductor.
 Other side is doped with three
valence electron like boron, then it
is p-type semiconductor.
Basic Photovoltaic system for power
generation
 Solar array
 A blocking diode
 Battery Storage
 Inverter/Converter
 Appropriate switches and circuit
breakers
Applications of solar photovoltaic
system
 Water pumping set for micro irrigation and drinking water supply
 Radio beacons for ship navigation at ports
 Community radio and television sets
 Cathodic protection of oil pipes
 Weather monitoring
 Railway signalling equipment's
 Battery charging
 Street lighting
Advantages and disadvantages

 Direct room temperature  High cost

conversion of light to electricity  No insolation at night
through a solid state device
 Absence of moving parts
 Unattended for long periods in
space
 Low maintenance cost is low
 Not pollution
 Long effective life
 Easy to fabricate
 High power to weight ratio