Investigating the Effect of Spectral Variations on the Performance of Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells

Abstract

The study of spectral variations is very important in the characterization of silicon solar cells. The spectral variations of monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous solar cells is studied through the spectral response with the help of spectral response evaluation meter, CEP-25HS-50SR. PVsyst 6.4.3 software is used to study the variation of air mass throughout the day and the year and to understand that how solar irradiance varies with the changing air mass. As per the findings, the spectral sensitivity of monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon solar lies in the entire visible region and partial UV and infrared region of solar spectrum whereas amorphous silicon solar cells have a narrow spectral range. This is most likely due to partial absorption of the long wavelength photon. It is observed that with the increase in value of zenith angle and air mass there’s a continuous decrease in light intensity received in the form of solar radiation. The intensity of solar radiations decreases because of atmospheric refraction which further decreases the spectral response value and hence the power output of the silicon solar cells is affected adversely.

Keywords: Solar spectrum, spectral response, short circuit current, air mass, zenith angle and quantum efficiency

Cite this Article

Anil Kumar Berwal, Nisha Kumari, Inderjeet Kaur et al. Investigating the Effect of Spectral Variations on the Performance of Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells. Journal of Alternate Energy Sources and Technologies. 2016; 7(3): 28–36p.