At noon on a sunny day, the solar irradiance is 1.0 kW/m2. Assume that we are co

Question

At noon on a sunny day, the solar irradiance is 1.0 kW/m2. Assume that we are collecting this light
with a solar array with a total effective area of 1.8m2. To simplify the problem, assume that all
incident photons have a wavelength of 655 nm.

a) Determine the number of photons per second incident on the solar array. (Hint: Ephoton = hv,
where h = Plancks constant)

b) If this array has a quantum efficiency of 25% (meaning the number of electrons out per photon
in, so that for every 4 photons absorbed, one electron is generated), and assuming that every
generated electron is collected, determine the amount of current generated by this solar panel at
noon.

Explanation / Answer

solar energy 0n given area= 1kw*1.8=1.8 kw Ephoton = h*v =hc/L= 6.626*3 *10^-17/655 =3.03*10^(-19) joules thus number of photons= 1.8*1000/3.03 *10^(-19) = 0.59*10^(22) =59*10^20 photons b) t thus electrons genrated =59/4*10^20=14.75 *10^20 electrons thus current I= q/t=14.75 *10^20*1.6*10^(-19)=2.36 for a second I= 2.36A of current is generated

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