Environmental Science: Numerical Questions – Solar Cell: Calculate Efficiency and Area
Dr. Manishika Jain- Join online Paper 1 intensive course. Includes tests and expected questions.
Solar Cell
Type I – Calculate Efficiency
1. A single solar cell (10 cm×10 cm) produces a voltage of 0.5 V and a current up to 2.5 A. If the solar insolation is 800 W/m2,the efficiency of the solar cell is:
⁓15.6 %
⁓24.6 %
⁓12.3 %
⁓10.2 %
Answer: (A) ⁓ 15.6 %
Explanation:
Given Values.
S.I = 800 w/m2
Voltage (V) = 0.5 V
Current (I) = 2.5 A
η =?
Area = 10 cm×10 cm = 10-2 m2 [1 cm = 0.01m]
η = x 100 …………………………… (i)
Solar Insulation (S.I) = ………………………. (ii)
Pout = Voltage (V) x Current (I) ……………… (iii)
Using (i), (ii) and (iii) we can deduce.
η =
η
η =
η = 0.1562 = 15.62 %
The efficiency of the solar cell is 15.62%.
Type II – Calculate Area
2. A single solar cell on illumination by insolation of about 800 Wm−2 produces a voltage of 0.5 V and a current up to 2.0 A. The efficiency of the solar cell is 12.5%. The area of the cell is:
2×10−2 m2
5×10−3 m2
4×10−4 m2
(4) 10−2 m2
Answer: (D) 10-2 m2
Explanation:
Given data’s.
SI = 800 w/m2
Voltage (V) = 0.5 V
Current (I) = 2.0 A
N = 12.5%
Area =?
η = x 100 …………………………… (i)
Solar Insulation (S.I) = ………………………. (ii)
Pout = Voltage (V) x Current (I) ……………… (iii)
Using (i), (ii) and (iii) we can deduce.
η =
A =
A = 10-2 m2
The Area of the cell is 10-2 m2 Hence option (D) 10-2 m2 is the correct answer.
Type III – Calculate Power
3. Solar insolation on a rectangular module (1.5 m x 2.0 m) of photovoltaic cells is 550 W/m2. If the efficiency of the cells is 12% What is the power output of the module?
396 W
240 W
99 W
198 W
Answer: (D)198 W
Explanation:
Given Values.
S.I = 550 W/m2
η = 12% = 0.12
Area = 1.5 m x 2.0 m = 3 m2
Power = ?
η = x 100 …………………………… (i)
Solar Insulation (S.I) =
Pin = Area * S.I ………………………. (ii)
Using (i) and (ii) we can deduce.
η =
0.12 =
P = 0.12 * 550 * 3
P = 198 W
The power of the solar cell is 198 W
-Mayank