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Does Color Matter for Solar Power?

CSEF · 2007 Electronics & Electromagnetics

Colin B. Ries · Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley, Riverside County

Overview

Objectives/Goals My problem statement is, #How do different colors of light affect the electrical output of a photovoltaic cell?#. My hypothesis was if green light would shine on a photovoltaic cell then it will produce the most electrical current. Methods/Materials An acrylic prism was used to produce a spectrum of colors. A photovoltaic cell connected to a multitester measured the voltage produced of each color of the spectrum. Results I found the most electrical current produced was under yellow light of the spectrum, with 8.9% more voltage than outside the spectrum and red was similar. Green and blue produced less and indigo the least amount. Conclusions/Discussion My hypothesis was incorrect. Red and yellow produced more electrical current than green. Even though these color#s energy levels were lower than the other color#s, they produced the greater electrical output.

Summary statement

Different colored light effects the output of a photovoltaic cell.

Help received

My Dad helped type the report and helped make the graphs. My Mom assisted putting together the board.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2007 Electronics & Electromagnetics · Entry J0827

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