Exploring photovoltaic effect through simple experiments

Francisco, Salomão; Salgueiro da Silva, Manuel; Cavadas, Bento; Seixas, Teresa

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/4817

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Authors

Francisco, Salomão

Salgueiro da Silva, Manuel

Cavadas, Bento

Seixas, Teresa

Abstract(s)

This work describes a laboratory practice centred around the demonstration of the photovoltaic effect and its application for renewable energy production. Several experiments are proposed to allow students to investigate how a PV cell works and how irradiance, load resistance, temperature, and light trapping mechanisms can affect its performance. Additionally, students can be introduced to the quantum nature of light and how it relates to the behaviour of semiconductor devices, by exploring how the incident light colour affects power output.