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How Does Temperature Affect Solar Cells?

CSEF · 2016 Alternative Energy (Junior Division Only)

Toby J. Still · La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County

Overview

Objectives/Goals To determine if solar cells generate more power at colder or hotter temperatures. Methods/Materials Set up a light source a fixed distance away from the solar cell and test voltage (volts), current (amps), surface temperature (degrees Celsius), and lux (lumens per square meter), at different places with varying temperatures. Take measurements three times at each location. These places include: Walk-in refrigerator and freezer, a cold garage at night, a cool laundry room, a regular bedroom, a hot bedroom, and a hot sauna at the YMCA. Results The hotter the location the more power the solar cell generated. The voltage dropped at greater temperatures, but the current increased, with a net result of greater power. We also measured lux input part way through the testing, and discovered that the light source (power in) fluctuated slightly during our tests. Conclusions/Discussion Testing demonstrated that a solar cell does generate more power at higher temperatures, proving my hypothesis correct.

Summary statement

Understanding how temperature affects the power output produced by a solar panel, by measuring the voltage and amperage produced in rooms of varying temperatures.

Help received

Ross Cathie (salesman for PlanetSolar), provided initial guidance and advice as well as a small solar cell panel with wire leads. The light was borrowed from Greencoast Hydroponics. My father helped me build the PVC light holder and solar assembly, and create the Excel data graph.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2016 Alternative Energy (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0219

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