Ch-5: PhotoVoltaic Devices

ExTerr Insolation (Incident Solar Radiation)

1.37 kW/m2
PV Cell Operation
I-V Characteristics of a Photovoltaic Cell
PV Cell: Power output
I-V Characteristics of a Photovoltaic Cell

-Insolation

-Temp
Photovoltaic Cell
 More Accurate Model
More Accurate Model
More Accurate Model
 PV Cell: Power Generator
 PV Cell Types

DOE SETO: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/pv-cells-101-primer-solar-photovoltaic-cell

• Crystalline Silicon – (c-Si)

Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline
• Thin Film
- Amorphous Silicon– (a-Si)
- Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)
- Copper Indium Gallium Disel. (CIGS)
- Perovskite Solar Cell

• Bifacial Cell

• Multi Junction
https://solarmagazine.com/solar-panels/bifacial-solar-panels/
IEEE Spectrum Article Jan 19
 From Cells to Modules
• Basic building block for PV applications is a module.
A typical module will have 36 cells in series

V-I curve for a module having 36 cells in series

Module I-V Characteristics
Eg: Module I-V curve
• A PV module is made up of 36 identical cells connected in series
• Short-circuit current of each cell is 3.4 A, at 1-sun, T = 25 oC
• Cell reverse saturation current = 6 * 10-10, Rp = 6.6 ohm, Rs = 0.005 ohm
Approximate Model using I-V curve
 PV rating & Standard Test Conditions (STC)
STC:
Insolation S: 1-sun (1 kW/m2), spectral density with AM1.5, 25oC cell temp.

• Rating Data:
• Rated power: max power under STC

•I-V curve is given under STC

 The maximum power point (MPP) is

that spot near the knee of the I – V curve
at which the product of current and
voltage reaches its maximum

Efficiency:
PV Module Economics