Evaluation of Photoelectric Conversion Efficiency in Solar Cell Experiments

Solar energy is one of the effective solutions to today’s energy shortage and environmental pollution. The “solar cell experiment” in university physics experiments is of great significance for students to understand the utilization of solar energy and has gained favor from domestic and foreign universities. However, due to factors such as instruments and equipment, traditional “solar cell experiment” teaching content is often limited to the measurement of volt-ampere characteristics, lacking the measurement of core parameters for solar energy utilization (such as solar cell conversion efficiency). In addition, the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current measured by the volt-ampere characteristic are parameters of the solar panel, not parameters of individual solar cells. This paper analyzes and discusses the relationship and differences between solar panels (modules) and solar cells (cells). In terms of solving the conversion efficiency of solar cells, the paper starts from the essence of solar cell conversion efficiency, adjusts and optimizes the system optical path, and uses a light intensity detector to obtain the incident light power density of 5.654mW/cm2 for solar cells. The output power density of the solar cell is obtained by analyzing the output characteristics of the solar panel, which is 1.2903mW/cm2. The conversion efficiency of solar cells under halogen lamp irradiation is calculated to be 22.821% using the ratio of optical power density. In addition, the paper proposes a simplified measurement method that significantly shortens the experimental duration, which can provide teaching reference for evaluating the photoelectric conversion efficiency in solar cell experiments. This paper aims to provide reference for enriching the experimental teaching content of solar cells, enhancing students’ complete understanding and scientific evaluation ability of solar energy utilization effects.