Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency: Comparing Input Power to Output Power of a Silicon Photovoltaic Cell

By Oskar Cymerman1; NNCI Nano2

1. Woodbury High School, Woodbury, MN 2. National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Download (PDF)

Additional materials available (2)

Category

Teaching Materials

Published on

Abstract

This lesson is designed to help students find a measure of a solar cell’s power conversion efficiency, by studying output power (Pout) of a silicon PV cell and comparing it to the input power (Pin) of incandescent light bulbs illuminating the PV from a set distance. In this activity, students will experiment with silicon PV cells and determine some reasons for why there may exist a need for better alternatives.

Credits

Lesson developed by the University of Minnesota NNIN RET program.

 

Sponsored by

This lesson was developed with support from the National Science Foundation -- NNIN and NNIN RET progam.

Cite this work

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

  • Oskar Cymerman, NNCI Nano (2016), "Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency: Comparing Input Power to Output Power of a Silicon Photovoltaic Cell," https://nanohub.org/resources/25199.

    BibTex | EndNote

Submitter

Nancy Healy

NNCI Education and Outreach, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Tags

  1. energy conversion
  2. high school
  3. K-12
  4. NNCI Educational Materials
  5. photovoltaics (PV)
  6. Physics
  7. solar cells