Semiconductor Devices - Photovoltaic Cells

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A basic photovoltaic cell consists of a n-type and a p-type semiconductor forming a p-n
junction. The upper area is extended and transparent, generally exposed to the sun.
These diodes or cells are exceptional that generate a voltage when exposed to light. The
cells convert light energy directly into electrical energy.

The following figure shows the symbol of photovoltaic cell.

Working of a Photovoltaic Cell

The construction of a photovoltaic cell is similar to that of a PN junction diode. There is
no current flow through the device when no light is applied. In this state, the cell will not
be able to generate current.

It is essential to bias the cell properly which requires a fair amount of light. As soon as
light is applied, a remarkable state of PN junction diode can be observed. As a result, the
electrons acquire sufficient energy and break away from the parent atoms. These newly
generated electron-hole pairs in the depletion region crosses the junction.

In this action, the electrons move into the N type material because of its normal positive
ion concentration. Likewise holes sweep into the P type material because of its
negativeion content. This causes the N type material to instantly take on a negative
charge and the P material to take on a positive charge. The P-N junction then delivers a
small voltage as a response.

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Characteristics of a Photovoltaic Cell
The following figure on the left, shows one of the characteristics, a graph between
reverse current (IR) and illumination (E) of a photo diode. IR is measured on the vertical
axis and illumination is measured on the horizontal axis. The graph is a straight line
passing through the zero position.

i.e, IR = mE

m = graph straight line slope

The parameter m is the sensitivity of the diode.

The figure on the right, shows another characteristic of the photo diode, a graph
between reverse current (IR) and reverse voltage of a photo diode. It is clear from the
graph that for a given reverse voltage, reverse current increases as the illumination

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increases on the PN junction.

These cells generally supply electrical power to a load device when light is applied. If a
larger voltage is required, array of these cells are used to provide the same. For this
reason, photovoltaic cells are used in applications where high levels of light energy are
available.

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