Irradiance and Isc and Voc of a solar cell

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between irradiance, open circuit voltage (Voc), and short circuit current (Isc) in solar cells. Participants explore how these parameters interact under varying conditions, particularly focusing on the effects of temperature and light intensity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that while short circuit current increases with irradiance, open circuit voltage does not increase linearly and may actually decrease due to temperature effects.
  • There is a distinction made between light intensity and irradiance, with some noting that increasing light intensity leads to increases in both Voc and Isc, but they clarify that these terms are not interchangeable.
  • One participant emphasizes that solar cells are not operated at Voc or Isc but rather close to the maximum power point (MPP), where voltage decreases as current increases due to internal resistance.
  • Temperature effects are discussed, with some asserting that as irradiance increases, temperature also rises, leading to a decrease in Voc due to the negative temperature coefficient of the cell material.
  • Participants mention that the voltage drop across the cell's resistance increases with temperature, which influences the overall performance of the solar cell.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that short circuit current increases with irradiance, while there is contention regarding the behavior of open circuit voltage, with some asserting it decreases due to temperature effects. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature of the relationship between these parameters.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding assumptions about temperature effects and the definitions of light intensity versus irradiance. The relationship between these variables is not fully resolved, and participants express varying interpretations of how they interact.

says
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When irradiance increases what happens to open circuit voltage and short circuit current of a solar cell? Do they both increase linearly? Because temperature affects open circuit voltage, so I'd assume open circuit voltage doesn't increase linearly then...
 
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Voltage does not increase linearly with radiance. Current does increase with radiance.
But you want power so you must find the point where the product of voltage and current is close to the maximum.
That cannot be with short circuit current because then there is no voltage.
That cannot be with an open circuit voltage because then there is no current.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_power_point_tracking#I-V_curve
Voltage drop across the resistance of the cell increases with temperature and dominates voltage reduction due to rising temperature.
PN junction voltage falls slightly with temperature increase.
 
Ok, so open circuit voltage doesn't increase with irradiance, so then it must decrease due to temperature effects.

I was confused between light intensity and irradiance. As light intensity increases open circuit voltage and short circuit current increase, but light intensity and irradiance are two different things.
 
says said:
Ok, so open circuit voltage doesn't increase with irradiance, so then it must decrease due to temperature effects.
Correct. All other things being equal, the open circuit voltage will have the negative temperature coefficient of the cell material, probably silicon.
says said:
I was confused between light intensity and irradiance.
Avoid the confusion by referring to incident power. Only photons with wavelength, energy sufficient to overcome the semiconductor band gap are being considered.
Twice the power, is twice the photons, is twice the electrons, is twice the current.
 
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As irradiance increases, we can assume temperature will increase (more irradiance=later in the day=temperature increasing), this means that Voc decreases due to temperature effects, and short circuit current increases due to more irradiance.
 
A cell is never operated at open-circuit voltage or short-circuit current. It is operated close to the MPP.
As output current increases the voltage falls since the cell internal resistance drops more voltage.
There is also the smaller drop due to the temperature of PN junction.

The rising panel temperature is is due to heat from;
1. Internal I2R resistive losses.
2. Incident long wavelength radiation with insufficient energy to overcome the bandgap.
3. Thermal environment later in the day as angle to Sun changes and as air warms.
 
"
A cell is never operated at open-circuit voltage or short-circuit current.
Solar cell is operated close to the MPP.
That cannot be with short circuit current because then there is no voltage.
That cannot be with an open circuit voltage because then there is no current."

thank yall for this simple summary
 

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