TESS - Training and Experimental System for Students

Influence of illumination level on voltage and current of asolar cell

Principle

The solar cell plays an important role in the development of alternative, non fossil fuels energy sources. It converts light energy directly into electric energy.
The pupils examine whether the distance of the light source affects the generated ...

Influence of surface area of solar cell on voltage and current

Principle

In the experiment the surface of the solar cell is covered with black cardboard. The current intensity and the voltage of the solar cell are measured.

Task

How does the solar cell behave when its surface is reduced? ...

Voltage and current in a series connection of solar cells

Principle

The pupils should examine a connection in series of two solar cells by measuring the open circuit voltage, U_ges, and the short-circuit current,  I_ges.

Greater voltages can be reached by connecting solar cells in se ...

Voltage and current in a parallel connection of solar cells

Principle

The pupils should examine a parallel connection of solar cells by measuring the open circuit voltage, U_ges, and the short-circuit current, I_ges. 

Using a connection in parallel, greater currents can be reached.

The solar cell as a power source for LED

Principle

A red light-emitting diode requires approximately 2 V supply voltage, that means it cannot be operated with a single solar cell. The Pupil kit contains a solar battery which supplies the required voltage. The experiement should make clear how single s ...

The solar cell as a diode

Principle

The pupils should become familiar with the behavior of a solar cell which is not being illuminated. In doing this, a DC voltage is applied to the the cell and it is ascertained whether a current is flowing, with the aid of a light bulb. Then the polar ...

Voltage and current of a solar cell as a function of light intensity

Principle

Solar cells play an important role in the development of alternative, non-fossil energy sources. They convert light energy directly into electric energy.
This experiment examines the influence of the intensity of illumination an the open circui ...

Storage of electrical energy of a solar cell with the aid ofa rechargeable battery

Principle

Batteries can have different charging states.
Before beginning the experiment check whether the Ni-Cd accu is already discharged, so that the glow lamp does not light at the beginning of the experiment. If it glows, the Ni-Cd accu can be discha ...

Solar-dark characteristic curve

Principle

The current dependence on voltage of a darkened solar cell is to be measured.

Task

How does a solar cell behave when it is dark?

The characteristic current-voltage curves of solar cells

Principle

The maximum utilisable power of a solar cell is dependent on the intensity of the incident light. Characteristic current-voltage curves are prepared under various illuminations.

Task

How does a load change the ...

Storage of the electric energy from a solar cell in a capacior

Principle

A capacitor is a passive electric component with the ability to store electrical charge and so the corresponding energy.

Task

How can solar energy be stored without using a rechargeable battery?

Try to sto ...

Thermal conduction

Principle

Energy can be transmitted through heat convection, heat radiation or heat conduction. The greater the thermal conductivity of a wall, the higher the temperature of its exterior. This property is used to compare the temperatures and thus the thermal c ...

Influence of surface on the absorption of solar energy

Principle

In this experiment a white tent in the desert will be simulated by means of a white absorber plate which is exposed under a halogen lamp for 5 minutes. The temperature difference before and after the irradiation is compared to that of a black absorber ...

Influence of insulation on the absorption of solar energy

Principle

The temperature increase is much higher in the case of the insulated plate as opposed to the uncovered plate. When the plate is not insulated, it can lose heat energy to air flowing by and through the radiation of heat.

Task ...

Using the greenhouse effect with a solar collector

Principle

The greenhouse effect in the solar collector works not only for the better heat insulation of the solar collector, but also for its protection from the external influences of the weather. The heating is not significantly influenced by the plexiglass d ...