Calculating Solar Cell Efficiency

To determine the efficiency ($\eta$) of the solar cell, we need to find the ratio of the electrical power output ($P_{out}$) to the incident solar power input ($P_{in\_total}$). The formula for efficiency is:

$ \eta = \frac{P_{out}}{P_{in\_total}} \times 100\% $

Determine Electrical Power Output

The electrical power output ($P_{out}$) is calculated by multiplying the current ($I$) and voltage ($V$) delivered by the solar cell:

• $I = 0.1\ \text{A}$
• $V = 0.6\ \text{V}$
• $ P_{out} = V \times I $
• $ P_{out} = 0.6\ \text{V} \times 0.1\ \text{A} = 0.06\ \text{W} $

Determine Incident Solar Power Input

The incident solar power ($P_{in\_total}$) is the product of the solar radiation intensity and the surface area ($A$) of the solar cell. We need to ensure units are consistent (convert $cm^2$ to $m^2$ and $kW/m^2$ to $W/m^2$).

• Surface Area: $ A = 5\ \text{cm}^2 = 5 \times (10^{-2}\ \text{m})^2 = 5 \times 10^{-4}\ \text{m}^2 $
• Solar Radiation Intensity: $ P_{in} = 1.0\ \text{kW/m}^2 = 1000\ \text{W/m}^2 $
• Total Input Power: $ P_{in\_total} = P_{in} \times A $
• $ P_{in\_total} = 1000\ \text{W/m}^2 \times 5 \times 10^{-4}\ \text{m}^2 = 0.5\ \text{W} $

Calculate Solar Cell Efficiency

Now, substitute the calculated output and input powers into the efficiency formula:

• $ \eta = \frac{P_{out}}{P_{in\_total}} \times 100\% $
• $ \eta = \frac{0.06\ \text{W}}{0.5\ \text{W}} \times 100\% $
• $ \eta = 0.12 \times 100\% = 12\% $

The efficiency of the solar cell is 12%.