Question

A solar panel containing $1500$ solar cells each of surface area $5c{m}^2$arranged in a parallel combination, is used to supply electrical energy for domestic needs. The efficiency of a solar cell is $35\%$ and $600J$ of energy is incident on one square meter area in second, find the electrical energy generated in one hour.

Answer 1

Step 1: Given data

Number of solar cells, $n=1500$

Area of one solar cell, $a=5c{m}^2=0.0005m^2$

Energy incident on one square meter area in one second, $E=600J{m}^{-2}{s}^{-1}$

Step 2: Calculate the energy incident on given solar cells in one hour

Total energy incident on solar cells in one second, $H=n\times a\times E$

$$\begin{gathered} H=1500\times 0.0005\times 600 \\ H=450J \end{gathered}$$

Total energy incident in one hour,

$$\begin{gathered} H\text{'}=450\times 60\times 60 \\ H\text{'}=1620000 \\ H\text{'}=1.62MJ \end{gathered}$$

Step 3: Energy produced by the cells according to their efficiency

$$\begin{gathered} H"=35\%of1.62MJ \\ H"=\frac{35}{100}\times 1.62 \\ H"=0.567MJ \\ H"=567kJ \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the electrical energy generated by $1500$ solar cells in one hour will be $567kJ$.