UNIT-III

PV CELL

Solar Cell converts light energy into the electrical energy. A solar cell is
basically a p-n junction diode. It utilizes photovoltaic effect to convert light energy
into electrical energy.

photovoltaic effect:: When certain materials are exposed to light, they

absorb photons and release free electrons. This phenomenon is called as the
photoelectric effect

These solar cells are composed of two different types of semiconductors  p-

type and an n-type - that are joined together to create a p-n junction. By joining
these two types of semiconductors, an electric fieldis formed in the region of the
junction as electrons move to the positive p-side and holes move to the negative n-
side. 
Construction of Solar Cell

Although this is basically a junction diode, but constructionally it is littlebit

different form conventyional p-n junction diode. A very thin layer of p-type
semiconductor is grown on a relatively thicker n-type semiconductor. We provide
few finer electrodes on the top of the p-type semiconductor layer. These electrodes
do not obstruct light to reach the thin p-type layer. Just below the p-type layer there
is a p-n junction. We also provide a current collecting electrode at the bottom of
the n-type layer. We encapsulate the entire assembly by thin glass to protect the
solar cell from any mechanical shock.

When light reaches the p-n junction, the light photons can easily enter in the
junction, through very thin p-type layer. The light energy, in the form of photons,
supplies sufficient energy to the junction to create a number of electron-hole pairs.
The incident light breaks the thermal equilibrium condition of the junction. The
free electrons in the depletion region can quickly come to the n-type side of the
junction. Similarly, the holes in the depletion can quickly come to the p-type side
of the junction. Once, the newly created free electrons come to the n-type side,
cannot further cross the junction because of barrier potential of the junction.
 Similarly, the newly created holes once come to the p-type side cannot
further cross the junction became of same barrier potential of the junction. As the
concentration of electrons becomes higher in one side, i.e. n-type side of the
junction and concentration of holes becomes more in another side, i.e. the p-type
side of the junction, the p-n junction will behave like a small battery cell. A voltage
is set up which is known as photo voltage. If we connect a small load across the
junction, there will be a tiny current flowing through it.

V-I Characteristics of a Photovoltaic Cell

The above graph shows the current-voltage ( I-V ) characteristics of a typical

silicon PV cell operating under normal conditions. The power delivered by a solar
cell is the product of current and voltage ( I x V ). If the multiplication is done,
point for point, for all voltages from short-circuit to open-circuit conditions, the
power curve above is obtained for a given radiation level.

With the solar cell open-circuited, that is not connected to any load, the current
will be at its minimum (zero) and the voltage across the cell is at its maximum,
known as the solar cells open circuit voltage, or Voc. At the other extreme, when
the solar cell is short circuited, that is the positive and negative leads connected
together, the voltage across the cell is at its minimum (zero) but the current flowing
out of the cell reaches its maximum, known as the solar cells short circuit current,
or Isc.

Then the span of the solar cell I-V characteristics curve ranges from the short
circuit current ( Isc ) at zero output volts, to zero current at the full open circuit
voltage ( Voc ). In other words, the maximum voltage available from a cell is at
open circuit, and the maximum current at closed circuit. Of course, neither of these
two conditions generates any electrical power, but there must be a point
somewhere in between were the solar cell generates maximum power.

However, there is one particular combination of current and voltage for which the
power reaches its maximum value, at Imp and Vmp. In other words, the point at
which the cell generates maximum electrical power and this is shown at the top
right area of the green rectangle. This is the “maximum power point” or MPP.
Therefore the ideal operation of a photovoltaic cell (or panel) is defined to be at the
maximum power point.

Concentrated Solar Power

As the name suggest, in this type of solar power system, sun rays are concentrated
(focused) on a small area by placing mirrors or lenses over a large area. Due to
this, a huge amount of heat is generated at the focused area. This heat can be used
to heat up the working fluid which can further drive the steam turbine. There are
different types of technologies that are based on the concentrated solar power to
produce electricity. Some of them are - parabolic trough, Stirling dish, solar power
tower etc. The following schematic shows how a solar power tower works.