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
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To design an array of individual solar cells that would produce 120 volts DC, we need to consider a few factors:
1. Voltage output: Solar cells have a typical voltage output of around 0.5 to 0.6 volts DC. To achieve 120 volts, we would need to connect multiple cells in series.
2. Power output: The power output of a solar cell is determined by both its voltage and current. For this example, let's assume we need to produce 2 kilowatts (2 kWe) of power.
Now, let's break down the calculations:
1. Calculate the total number of cells in series: Since each solar cell has a typical voltage output of 0.5 to 0.6 volts, we can assume an average value of 0.55 volts. To achieve 120 volts, we can divide 120 by 0.55:
Total number of cells in series = 120 volts / 0.55 volts ≈ 218 cells
2. Calculate the current required: To find the current required, we can rearrange the power equation (P = V × I) to solve for current (I):
Current (I) = Power (P) / Voltage (V)
Assuming an output power of 2 kW, and using the voltage we calculated earlier (120 V):
Current (I) = 2000 watts / 120 volts ≈ 16.67 amperes (A)
3. Determine the area of solar cells required: The area required depends on the efficiency of the solar cells and the irradiance (amount of sunlight) received. Let's assume a typical efficiency of 20% and consider noon on a clear day as the reference point.
The power output of solar cells can be calculated using the following equation:
Power output = Area × Efficiency × Irradiance
Rearranging the equation, we can solve for the required area:
Area = Power output / (Efficiency × Irradiance)
Assuming an irradiance of 1000 watts per square meter (W/m²) and an efficiency of 20% (0.20), substituting the values:
Area = 2000 watts / (0.20 × 1000 W/m²) = 10 square meters
Therefore, you would need a solar cell array with approximately 218 cells connected in series to produce 120 volts DC. The total area of the solar cell array required to produce 2 kW of output power at noon on a clear day would be about 10 square meters.