Solar Cells Flashcards
what firstly happens when light strikes a photocell
the light gives some of its energy to free electrons in the material of the cell
what is present in the photocell and what does it do
- an electric field is present
- which exerts a force on the electrons
what is the product of these two things happening at the same time
- the flow of electrons produces a current
- while the cells electric field causes a voltage
what does the presence of these two things therefore create
with a current and voltage, you have power
what type of material does the solar cell have to be in the first place in order for all of this to work
- a semiconductor like silicon
- as it needs to be able to release or free electrons when its temperature increases (when light strikes it)
what are the characteristics of a solar cell dependent on
illumination
if you were to have a potentiometer in a circuit with a solar cell and light dependent cell, what would the value of the potentiometer depend on
- the type of cell
- the amount of illumination
what would be the effect of illuminating the cell more strongly
- the emf of the cell would be much greater
- and the internal resistance would drop considerably
- this leads to the maximum power being generated to be much higher
