To Study the current - voltage, power output vs.

load, areal characteristics and spectral response of the Photovoltaic Solar cell.
Apparatus: (i) a solar cell, (ii) a mill voltmeter (iii) a micro ammeter (iv) a resistance box (v) a 100 W lamp, (vi) area chopper (vii) colour filters (viii) connecting wires etc Theory: A solar cell is basically a pn-junction; which converts solar energy into electrical energy. The conversion of optical energy into electrical energy is known as Photovoltaic effect. Hence a solar cell is also called a photovoltaic cell and behaves as a battery with n as the negative and p as the positive tenninal, respectively. The emf generated can be measured with a voltmeter. Procedure: To draw various characteristics, the photocell is connected in series with a load (RL) and .an ammeter (A) in series as shown in fig.1. The produced emf is measured with the help of a multimeter in the mV range. The light source along with desired filters is kept at fixed distance in front of the photocell.

Study' of Characteristics:
1. I-V characteristics (without any filter):-.Vary the load resistance from 1500 to 2500 in steps of 100 and take the corresponding readings of RL(), I(in A) and V(in mV)and draw the corresponding: (a) I-V graph (b) power ( , where I and V are in amperes and volts respectively) vs load (RL) (Ideally higher load resistance is required to reduce the current to zero and may be done if time permits) From graph 1 (b) obtain the optimum power and the corresponding load resistance RL 2. Spectral characteristics: (P vs I with optimal load resistance as obtained in 1(b)). For each of the filters obtain I and V and the corresponding power ( vs I. 3. Areal characteristics: (emf produced as a function of the exposed area of the filter using white light only. To obtain different exposed areas place the chopper provided and adjust its position to obtain different areas. Take the readings for three different areas and record the corresponding emf produced with optimal load resistance as obtained in 1(b). Draw a graph of emf vs area. Draw a graph of emf

Experimental data:
1. V-I characteristic
Table 1

RL () (20 lines)

V (volt) (20 lines)

I (mA) (20 lines)

P (Watt) (20 lines)

2. Spectral characteristics:
Table 2

Wavelength (nm) Blue=480 Green=530 Yellow=565 Orange=590 Red=610

V (volt)

I (mA)

P (Watt)

3. Areal characteristics:
Table 3

Area (cm2) (10 lines)

V (volt) (10 lines)

I (mA) (10 lines)

P (Watt) (10 lines)

Draw 3 graphs:
1. RL vs P (from table 1) 2. vs P (from table 2) 3. area vs P (from table 3)