Question

Explain the principle of the working of a solar cell made of a semiconductor. Why are solar cell panels used in an artificial satellite?

Answer 1

Step 1: Working Principle of Solar Cell

1. The wafers or the pieces of the semiconducting materials containing impurities develop a potential difference between two regions of the semiconductor when the sunlight falls on it.
2. Thus, when solar radiations fall on a solar cell, it converts solar energy into electrical energy.
3. A lead storage battery is connected to the circuit which gets charged and can be used as and when desired.

Step 2: Arrangement of Solar Cell

1. The power generated by a single solar cell is very low. A single solar cell with an area of 2 to 4 square centimeters produces an output voltage of 0.4 to 0.5 volts and produces about 60 milliamperes of current.
2. So, a large number of solar cells are mounted together to generate appreciable electrical power. The solar cells are arranged in series to form solar panels.

Step 3: Uses of Solar cell

1. Solar panel cells are mostly used in artificial space satellites because they remain in outer space for many years.
2. The space satellites contain solar panels which convert sunlight into electrical energy, and this electrical energy is used by the satellites to do various functions.