A5 Express the efficiency, , of this solar cell in terms of . · OlympiadBench #1064
Physics · modern-physics
Problem
A5 Express the efficiency, η, of this solar cell in terms of xg.
Given constants:
Particles from the Sun 1
Photons from the surface of the Sun and neutrinos from its core can tell us about solar temperatures and also confirm that the Sun shines because of nuclear reactions.
Throughout this problem, take the mass of the Sun to be M⊙=2.00×1030kg, its radius, R⊙=7.00×108m, its luminosity (radiation energy emitted per unit time), L⊙=3.85×1026W, and the Earth-Sun distance, d⊙=1.50×1011m.
Note:
(i) ∫xeaxdx=(ax−a21)eax+ constant
(ii) ∫x2eaxdx=(ax2−a22x+a32)eax+ constant
(iii) ∫x3eaxdx=(ax3−a23x2+a36x−a46)eax+ constant
A Radiation from the sun :
Context question:
A.1 Assume that the Sun radiates like a perfect blackbody. Use this fact to calculate the temperature, Ts, of the solar surface.
Context answer:
5.76×103
Extra Supplementary Reading Materials:
The spectrum of solar radiation can be approximated well by the Wien distribution law. Accordingly, the solar energy incident on any surface on the Earth per unit time per unit frequency interval, u(v), is given by
u(v)=Ad⊙2R⊙2c22πhv3exp(−hv/kBTs)
where v is the frequency and A is the area of the surface normal to the direction of the incident radiation.
Now, consider a solar cell which consists of a thin disc of semiconducting material of area, A, placed perpendicular to the direction of the Sun's rays.
Context question:
A2 Using the Wien approximation, express the total radiated solar power, Pin, incident on the surface of the
solar cell, in terms of A,R⊙,d⊙,TS and the fundamental constants c,h,kB
Context answer:
Pin=c2h312πkB4Ts4Ad⊙2R⊙2
Context question:
A3 Express the number of photons, nγ(v), per unit time per unit frequency interval incident on the surface of
the solar cell in terms of A,R⊙,d⊙,Ts,v and the fundamental constants c,h,kB.
Context answer:
nγ(ν)=Ad⊙2R⊙2c22πν2ekBTs−hν
Extra Supplementary Reading Materials:
The semiconducting material of the solar cell has a "band gap" of energy, Eg. We assume the following model. Every photon of energy E≥Eg excites an electron across the band gap. This electron contributes an energy, Eg, as the useful output energy, and any extra energy is dissipated as heat (not converted to useful energy).
Context question:
A4 Define xg=hvg/kBTs where Eg=hvg. Express the useful output power of the cell, Pout , in terms of xg,A,
R⊙,d⊙,Ts and the fundamental constants c,h,kB.
Context answer:
Pout =c2h32πkB4Ts4Ad⊙2R⊙2xg(xg2+2xg+2)e−xg