Working Principle: The solar cell working principle involves converting light energy into electrical energy by separating light-induced charge carriers within a semiconductor. Role of Semiconductors: Semiconductors like silicon are crucial because their properties can be modified to create free electrons or holes that carry electric current.
The working principle is that we use the energy of photons to get the drift current flowing in the circuit using reversed bias p-n junction diode (p-type and n-type silicon combination). 1. Solar Panels It is the heart of the solar power plant. Solar panels consists a number of solar cells. We have got around 35 solar cells in one panel.
This technology often involves mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, intensifying the heat. A solar energy block diagram illustrates the key components and their interconnections in solar power systems. Here's a simplified explanation of the main components typically found in such a diagram :
Prakash and Kumar proposed a greenhouse solar dryer with an impenetrable northern wall and examined its performance under different conditions (Fig. 19). The fan, which was powered by six solar cells, was located in two rows. Solar cell energy was consumed to charge the battery.
There are no energy levels available for electrons between the VB and the CB. This energy gap Eg is the bandgap of the semiconductor, and its value is defined by the difference between the lowest energy level of the CB, EC, and the highest energy level of the VB, EV: Eg = EC – EV. For semiconductors, Eg is typically between 0.5 and 3 eV.
Just as human eyes and plants are maximally sensitive to visible light (400–700 nm), where sunlight is strongest, the bandgap of silicon allows for an almost optimal balance between high current and voltage in a solar cell, minimizing the overall transmission and thermalization losses. FIGURE 3.4.