☀️ Solar Cell — Photovoltaic Effect & IV Curve

Simulate how a p-n junction solar cell converts sunlight into electricity using the Shockley diode equation. Explore the IV characteristic curve, maximum power point, fill factor, efficiency, and how temperature and irradiance affect output power.

Irradiance G: 1000 W/m²

Temperature T: 25 °C

Ideality factor n: 1.0

V_oc: — V

I_sc: — A

P_max: — W

FF: —

η: — %

MPP: —

Physics

The Shockley diode equation gives the cell current: I = I_L − I₀(e^qV/nkT−1), where I_L is the photocurrent proportional to irradiance G. The open-circuit voltage V_oc = (nkT/q)·ln(I_L/I₀+1) decreases roughly 2 mV/°C for silicon. The maximum power point (MPP) is found by dP/dV=0. Fill factor FF = P_max/(V_oc·I_sc) measures curve squareness. Efficiency η = P_max/(G·A).