This is a basic expertiment to determine the efficency of a small silicon solar cell. This experiment is appropriate for high school or community college level students.
The experiment requires a
small low cost silicon solar cell, a voltmeter, low value resistors
and/or resistance wire, and sunshine.
 |
This small low cost silicon solar cell is made from broken pieces of larger commercial silicon solar cells. |
 |
A Ni-Chrome resistance wire stretched along a meter stick is a great low cost way to make a variable resistor. Aligator clips can use for the connections. |
Click this link for a Microsoft Word version of the experiment.
Click this link for a PDF version of the experiment.
Below you will find links to vendors that will supply solar cells, low value resistors and resistance wire.
Links to Vendors:
Solar
Cells:
The Science e-store: .5V / 1000mA
http://www.physlink.com//estore/cart/SunMateSolar05V1A.cfm
Edmund Scientifics Silicon Solar Cells: .45V/ 100mA – 1000mA
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3039808&bhcd2=1137800270
Arbor Scientific: Silicon Solar Cell .5V / 500mA
http://www.arborsci.com/detail.aspx?ID=838
The Teachers Source: Silicon Solar Cell .9V / 400mA
http://www.teachersource.com/catalog/index.html (then Search for solar cells)
1 ohm
resistors:
Radio
Shack
Newarkinone
0.1
ohm resistors:
Newarkinone
0.2
ohm resistors:
Ni-Chrome
resistance wire:
18 gauge - 0.088 ohms/cm
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=819
21 guage - 0.177 ohms/cm
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=820
http://www.mcmowdirect.com/nichrome-wire-gauge-p-812.html