Total Energy from a Photovoltaic Solar Cell

by Erin Ritter

Submitted : Spring 2012

Using the current-voltage relationship (I-V curve) for a particular photovoltaic solar cell, we determined the total energy that can be produced in one day by the solar cell. For this report the total energy produced by a photovoltaic solar cell was calculated by using the trapezoidal integration method. The power the panel received over a one day period varied because the angle at which light hitting the panel varied over the course of the day. From the calculations it was determined that it would require many photovoltaic solar cells for a home to operate using solar energy.

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