PN junctions and diodes

What is the typical open-circuit voltage of a single crystalline silicon solar cell?

  1. AAbout 6 V
  2. BAbout 0.6–0.7 V
  3. CAbout 60 V
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Answer: B. About 0.6–0.7 V

A single crystalline silicon solar cell has an open-circuit voltage of about 0.6–0.7 V. That is why practical solar modules connect many cells in series to obtain the required voltage.

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More PN junctions and diodes questions

  1. Which value is closest to the theoretical maximum efficiency of a single-junction solar cell (the Shockley-Queisser limit)?
  2. How does the avalanche breakdown voltage generally change as temperature rises?
  3. What is the phenomenon in which forward current through a PIN diode injects many carriers into the i-layer and greatly reduces its resistance?
  4. What can be evaluated by measuring the capacitance of a reverse-biased PN junction while varying the voltage (C-V measurement)?
  5. Of the two terminals of a PN junction diode, what is the terminal on the p-type side called?