MAHARISHI VIDYA MANDIR SENIOR

SEC. SCHOOL POLACHERY

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT

TOPIC: SOLAR CELL

NAME: K.
HARESH

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024-

2025

CLASS: XII A2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my heartfelt

gratitude to everyone who supported
me throughout the completion of this
project. Your blessings and
encouragement have meant the world
to me.
A special thanks to my principal, Ms.
M.U. Parimala Amudhan , and my
physics teacher, Ms. Amutha.A. Their
valuable guidance and insightful
suggestions were instrumental in
shaping this project and ensuring its
success. I truly appreciate their
support and mentorship
 CONTENTS

S.No. Title Page No.

1Introduction
2 Aim
3Apparatus Required
4 Procedure
5Observations
6Precautions
7Conclusion
8 Applications of Solar Cells
9Summary
10 Bibliography
 INTRODUCTION

Solar cell is a key device that converts

the light energy into the electrical

energy in photovoltaic energy

conversion. In most cases,

semiconductor is used for solar cell

material. The energy conversion consists

of absorption of light (photon) energy

producing electron–hole pairs in a

semiconductor and charge carrier

separation. A p–n junction is used for

charge carrier separation in most cases

Introduction
to Solar Cells

Solar cells are devices that

convert sunlight directly

into electricity using the

photovoltaic effect. Solar

panels are comprised of

many individual solar cells,

working together to

generate power.
 What is a Solar Cell

Semiconductor Material

Photovoltaic Effect
Energy Conversio
Solar cells are
typically made of
silicon, a
semiconductor
material that can
They work by Solar cells capture
conduct electricity
absorbing sunlight, light energy and
under certain
which excites convert it into
conditions.
electrons in the electricity. The
semiconductor efficiency of this
material, process depends
generating an on the type of
electric current. material used and
other factors.
The Photovoltaic Effe

Photon Absorption

Sunlight consists of photons,

tiny packets of energy. These
photons are absorbed by the
semiconductor material in the
solar cell.

Electron Excitation

The absorbed energy excites

electrons in the
semiconductor, allowing them
to move freely, creating an
electric current.

Current Generation

The flow of these excited

electrons creates an electrical
current, which can be
harnessed to power devices.
 Silicon-based Solar Cells

Crystalline Silicon Amorphous Silicon

The most common Thin-film solar cells

type of solar cell, it are less expensive
has a high to manufacture,
efficiency but can but with lower
be expensive. efficiency than
crystalline silicon.
Other Types of Solar Ce

Dye-
Thin-Film Solar Cells Sensitized
Solar
Cells
These
solar cells These
are made cells use a
of thin dye to
layers of absorb
semicond sunlight
uctor and create
materials, an electric
making current,
them and can
lightweigh be
t and manufactu
flexible. red at low
cost.
Organic Solar Cells

These cells are made

from organic materials,
offering potential for
flexible and low-cost
applications.
Factors Affecting Solar
Cell Performance

Sunlight Intensity
1
Solar cells produce more
electricity under bright
sunlight, and less under
cloudy or overcast conditions.

2
Temperature

High temperatures can reduce

the efficiency of solar cells,
while lower temperatures
generally improve
performance.

Shading
3
Shading can significantly
reduce
the output of solar cells, as
even partial shading can
impact the entire panel.
Solar Cell
Manufacturing
Process

Silicon Crystal Growth

Wafer Processing

Silicon The silicon

crystals are wafers are
grown, either cleaned,
in ingots or polished,
wafers, and textured
which are to improve
then sliced light
into thin absorption.
pieces.

Doping and Diffusion

Metallization
Impurities Electrical
are added to contacts are
the silicon to applied to
create p- the solar
type and n- cell, allowing
type regions, the current
forming a p- to flow to an
n junction. external
circuit.
Applications of Solar Cell

Residential Power Portable Devices

Electric Vehicles

Solar cells Solar panels Small solar

can be used can be cells can
to generate integrated power a
electricity into electric variety of
for homes, vehicles to portable
reducing supplement devices like
reliance on their battery calculators,
the grid. power. watches,
and even
small
appliances.
 The Future of Solar Cell
Technology

Increased Efficiency
New MaterialsIntegration and
Integration

1 2 Researchers 3 Solar cells

Research is
continuously are are
underway to exploring becoming
improve the new increasingly
efficiency of materials integrated
solar cells, and into building
with the aim technologies materials,
of achieving that can vehicles,
higher enhance the and even
power performanc clothing,
output for e of solar opening up
the same cells and new
amount of reduce possibilities
sunlight. manufacturi for solar
ng costs. energy.
 AIM

A solar cell, also known as a

photovoltaic (PV) cell, converts sunlight
into electricity through the following
steps:
1. Absorb light When sunlight hits a
solar cell, the semiconductor material
absorbs the light's energy.
2. Create an electric field the energy
from the light creates an electric field in
the cell, which energizes the different
layers of the cell.
3. Move electrons the electrons in the
cell are energized and move through the
material, creating an electrical current.
4. Extract current the current is
extracted through metal contacts on the
cell and can be used to power devices
or the electric grid.
APPARATUS REQUIRED

 VARIABLE DC POWER
SUPPLY

 LED[LIGHT EMITTING DIODE]

 SOLAR CELL

 AMMETER

 VOLTMETER
 THEORY
The theory of solar cell explains the process by

which light energy in photons is converted into

electric current when the photons strike a suitable

semiconductor device. The theoretical studies are of

practical use because they predict the fundamental

limits of a solar cell, and give guidance on the

phenomena that contribute to losses and solar cell

efficiency.

when a photon is absorbed, its energy is given to an

electron in the crystal lattice. Usually this electron is

in the valence band. The energy given to the electron

by the photon "excites" it into the conduction band

where it is free to move around within the

semiconductor. The network of covalent bonds that

the electron was previously a part of now has one

fewer electron. This is known as a hole, and it has

positive charge..
 OBSERVATION

SOLAR VOLTAG CURREN POWER

CELL E[VOLT] T[OHM] [WATT]
ANGLE
 SUMMARY

Solar cell, Any device that directly

converts the energy In light into
electrical energy through the process of
photo voltaic (see photovoltaic effect;
solar energy). Solar cells do not use
chemical reactions to produce electric
power, and they have no moving parts.
Most solar cells are designed for
converting sunlight into electricity. In
large arrays, which may contain many
thousands of individual cells, they can
function as central electric power
stations analogous to nuclear or coal- or
oil-fired power plants. Much smaller
assemblies of solar cells are used to
provide electric power in remote
locations including space satellites;
because they have no moving parts that
could require service or fuels that would
 PROCEDURE

When light shines on a photovoltaic (PV) cell –

also called a solar cell – that light may be
reflected, absorbed, or pass right through the
cell.
PV cell is composed of semiconductor
material; the “semi” means that it can conduct
electricity better than an insulator but not as
well as a good conductor like a metal.
are several different semiconductor materials
used in PV cells.
When the semiconductor is exposed to light, it
absorbs the light’s energy and transfers it to
negatively charged particles in the material
called electrons.
This extra energy allows the electrons to flow
through the material as an electrical current.
This current is extracted through conductive
metal contacts
 PRECAUTION

 Make sure the roof is in working shape

 Make sure you have enough roof space for

the panels to sit on

 Ensure that the property isn’t in a flood

zone

 Check if your property has enough sun

exposure

 Find out your state’s net metering rules

CONCLUSION
 APPLICATIONS

Solar Water Heating. Harnessing the

sun's energy fro everyday tasks is

environmentally friendly and cost-
effective.
Solar Electricity. This solar energy

application has gained a lot of

momentum in recent years.
Solar energy, derived from the

sun's photons, can be converted

into electricity using photovoltaic
cells
Solar-Pumping. Imagine harnessing

the power of the sun to fuel

water pump eliminating the need for
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 WIKIPEDIA

 CHATGPT

SEMINARSONLYCO

 PHYSICS

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