Explain the working of solar cell.

[shivajikobardan]

It has been 5 years since I studied physics. And my physics basics are rusty. I feel like I am understanding but in fact I am not..

I will explain what I understand (my half baked information that I collected from various sources).


N type is thin.

P type is thick.


When n and p are connected, pn junction is formed. Some electrons migrate from n to p and some holes migrate from p to n.

So a depletion region is formed. Depletion region has no free charge.

(Are pn junction and depletion region same?)


Incident sunlight breaks the electron hole bond pair then free electrons go to n side and free holes go to p side (that is the original arrangement, then what did we gain??)


Please explain in short brief to me.

 

[Bluejets]

Usual to do a search on Google as it will have been explained there many times and in detail.
One example here.......

 

[shivajikobardan]

hmm most explanations in internet abstract the details (as most are made for laymans)..that's why I was asking here. I googled a lot already.

 

[bertus]

Hello,

Have a look at the EDUCYPEDIA:
http://educypedia.karadimov.info/education/solarcells.htm

Bertus