Question

. a solar photovoltaic cell is designed to operate at maximum efficiency under a load of 0.4 a and 0.52 v under 750 w/m2 of irradiation at 45 degc. if the cells reverse saturation current density is 5.8x10-9 5a/m2 and the cell surface area is 0.01 m2 , what is the cells open circuit voltage (in volts) and short circuit current (in amps)?

Answer 1

To calculate the open circuit voltage and short circuit current of the solar photovoltaic cell, you can use the following equations:

Open circuit voltage: V_oc = (kT/q) * ln(I_ph/I_0 + 1)

Short circuit current: I_sc = I_ph - I_0 * (exp(qV_oc/kT) - 1)

Where:
- k is Boltzmann's constant (1.38 x 10^-23 J/K)
- T is the temperature in Kelvin (45°C + 273 = 318 K)
- q is the elementary charge of an electron (1.6 x 10^-19 C)
- I_ph is the photocurrent generated by the solar cell
- I_0 is the reverse saturation current density
- V_oc is the open circuit voltage
- I_sc is the short circuit current

First, calculate the photocurrent generated by the solar cell:

I_ph = (750 W/m2) * (0.01 m2) * (0.8) = 6 A

Next, calculate the open circuit voltage:

V_oc = (kT/q) * ln(I_ph/I_0 + 1)

V_oc = (1.38 x 10^-23 J/K * 318 K / 1.6 x 10^-19 C) * ln(6 A / 5.8 x 10^-9 A/m2 * 0.01 m2 + 1)

V_oc = 0.51 V

Finally, calculate the short circuit current:

I_sc = I_ph - I_0 * (exp(qV_oc/kT) - 1)

I_sc = 6 A - 5.8 x 10^-9 A/m2 * 0.01 m2 * (exp(1.6 x 10^-19 C * 0.51 V / 1.38 x 10^-23 J/K / 318 K) - 1)

I_sc = 5.9 A

Therefore, the open circuit voltage of the solar photovoltaic cell is 0.51 V and the short circuit current is 5.9 A.