The purpose of the Solar Cell Experiment was to demonstrate how light intensity directly relates to the voltage can be generated through a solar cell.  We also used several colored filters to discover the relationship between wavelengths of light and the voltages generated.  In this experiment, we used one solar cell one voltage probe, one NXT adaptor, NXT with light sensor, one light source, ruler, and colored film filters.

To demonstrate the relationship between light intensity and voltage produced, we took 30 second voltage readings with the light source 5 different distances away from the solar cell.  We measured the voltage at 0 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm, and 8 cm.  Each time we moved the light source further away from the solar cell a smaller voltage was produced, as seen in the data.

To demonstrate the relation between different wavelengths and voltages generated, we held the light source at a constant distance of 2 cm away from the solar cell and took four different voltage readings when using four different color filters.  The color filters that we used were pink, orange, black, and blue.  The filters changed the wavelengths of the light therefore changing the voltage that could have been produced.

 

Light Intensity Average Voltage at:

 

0 cm – 0.5696 volts

 

1 cm – 0.5205 volts

 

2 cm – 0.5039 volts

 

4 cm – 0.4857 volts

 

8 cm – 0.4723 volts

 

Different Wavelength Average Voltage

 

Pink – 0.5321 volts

 

Orange – 0.5088 volts

 

Black – 0.4857 volts

 

Blue – 0.4843 volts