The purpose of this experiment was to understand the relationship between light intensity and the voltage output of the solar cell, as well as the voltage’s output relationship with the wa
velength of light. We were given one solar cell, one voltage probe, a flashlight, one NXT adaptor, a ruler and three colored film filters. With the help of Lab View the data needed for this experiment.
To change the intensity of the light we changed the proximity in centimeters between the flashlight and the solar cell. We started first by providing the solar cell no light at all. Then we put the flashlight at 1cm of distance from the solar cell, then 10 cm, then 20 cm, and at last a distance of 30 cm. Each time we obtained lower results meaning that the higher the intensity of the light, the more photons are going to be generated, therefore more current and voltage. Photovoltaics generate constant electricity; they work through the photons that land on the metal, adding energy so its electrons will follow.
Our next step in the experiment was to see how the different colored filters affect the voltage output. We grabbed a purple, light pink, and green filters and put it between the solar cell and flashlight and indeed each filter gave us a different result.
Great write up. I definitely think this lab gave us some insight into what we want to do for the final experiment. I think it’s pretty awesome that something so simple like a color can have a huge difference in the amount of light absorbed! Sustainability in action.