Design an array of individual solar cells that woulproduce 120 volts DC. About how large an area of solar cells would be needed to produce 2 kWe of/ output power at noon on a clear day
Assume you tilt the panels so that the solar radiation power hitting them per area equals the solar constant, which is about 1300 Watts per square meter. Then you need to take into account the efficiency of the solar panels in generating electrical power. Do some research of your own on this subject. Current devices being installed for homes and businesses has an efficiency of about 20%; higher values are attainable at higher cost.
This already tells you than each square meter can generate about 260 watts of power.
Use that fact and the electrical power that you required to compute the area needed. The voltage is determined by how many are arranged in series. Each cell produces only a few volts.
To determine the area of solar cells needed to produce 2 kW of output power, we need to consider a few factors:
1. Efficiency of the solar cells: Solar cell efficiencies can vary depending on the technology and quality. Let's assume an average efficiency of 20% for our calculations.
2. Average solar irradiance: On a clear day at noon, the solar irradiance at the Earth's surface can range from 800 to 1000 Watts per square meter, depending on location. For simplicity, we'll assume an average of 1000 W/m².
Now, let's go step-by-step to calculate the required area:
Step 1: Determine the total power needed
To produce 2 kW (2000 Watts) of output power, we'll assume all the solar cells' power output is utilized.
Step 2: Account for solar cell efficiency
Considering the average efficiency of 20%, the total solar cell array power needed can be calculated using the formula:
Total solar cell array power = Required output power / Efficiency = 2000 / 0.20 = 10000 Watts.
Step 3: Calculate the area of solar cells
To calculate the area, we need to determine the power density (power per unit area) needed.
Power density = Total solar cell array power / Solar irradiance = 10000 / 1000 = 10 square meters.
Therefore, an area of approximately 10 square meters of solar cells would be needed to produce 2 kW of output power at noon on a clear day, given the assumptions mentioned above. Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate, and the actual area requirements could vary depending on factors like location and panel efficiency.
To determine the physical size of an array of solar cells needed to produce a specific voltage and power output, we need to consider a few factors:
1. Solar Cell Rating: The voltage and power output of an individual solar cell will determine the number of cells required to achieve the desired output.
2. Efficiency: The efficiency of the solar cells indicates how effectively they can convert sunlight into electricity. Higher efficiency cells will require fewer cells for a given power output.
3. Location and Time of Day: The amount of sunlight available is influenced by the location and time of day. We will assume noon on a clear day for this scenario.
Let's go through the steps to estimate the size of the array:
Step 1: Determine the Solar Cell Voltage
To produce 120 volts DC, we need to know the voltage rating of an individual solar cell. Let's assume the voltage rating of each solar cell is 0.6 volts.
Step 2: Calculate the Number of Solar Cells
To find the number of solar cells required, divide the desired voltage by the solar cell voltage rating:
Number of cells = Desired voltage / Solar cell voltage rating
Number of cells = 120 volts / 0.6 volts = 200 cells
Step 3: Determine the Power Output
To produce 2 kilowatts (kW) of output power, we need to calculate the power output of each solar cell. Assuming each solar cell has a power output of 5 watts (W):
Power output per cell = 5 watts
Number of cells required = 2,000 watts / 5 watts = 400 cells
Step 4: Account for Efficiency
Solar cells have different efficiencies. Let's assume that each solar cell has an efficiency of 20%. To account for efficiency, divide the number of cells required by the efficiency:
Number of cells required = Number of cells / Efficiency
Number of cells required = 400 cells / 0.2 = 2,000 cells
Step 5: Calculate the Area
The physical size of an array depends on the individual solar cell's size and arrangement. To estimate the area, we need information on the size of each solar cell. Let's assume each solar cell has an area of 0.6 square feet.
Total area = Number of cells × Area per cell
Total area = 2,000 cells × 0.6 square feet = 1,200 square feet
Therefore, an array of individual solar cells with an area of approximately 1,200 square feet would be needed to produce a power output of 2 kWe at noon on a clear day.