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Question

List two merits of solar cells.


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Solution

Solar Cells

  1. A solar cell is a pn-junction diode that converts sunlight directly to electricity with large conversion efficiency.
  2. When a pn-junction diode is exposed to sunlight, the incident photons create electron-hole pairs in both p- and n- regions, of the junctions.
  3. The generated electron-hole pairs over a small distance from the junction move to the space charge region X through diffusion.
  4. Then the strong electric field existing in the X region separates the electron-hole pairs.
  5. The electrons in the p-region slide down the barrier potential to move to the n-region.
  6. Similarly, the holes in the n-region move towards the p-region.
  7. In an open-circuit condition, the accumulated electrons and holes in the two sides of the pn-junction diode produce an open circuit voltage V0.
  8. If a road resistance RL is connected across the diode, a current will flow through the load.
  9. The magnitude of current through RL is directly proportional to the light intensity.

Merits of Solar Cell

  1. There is an unlimited source of energy, from the sun, for the working of a solar cell.
  2. They use renewable energy and hence is very good for the environment.
  3. Solar cells do not have any maintenance costs once installed.

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