Subtopic: Bio-fuels and their use in farm mechanization
Question Statement:
A solar photovoltaic system is used to generate power from total solar radiations varying from 400 to 750 W m⁻². The maximum conversion efficiency of solar photovoltaic system is 14%. The open circuit voltage, short circuit current and fill factor of solar cells are 21.6 V, 3.22 A and 0.72, respectively. To generate maximum power, the minimum cell area required in m² is _____________ (rounded off to 3 decimal places).
Official Answer Key:
0.885 to 0.895
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Maximum electrical power output of the cell, P_max = V_oc × I_sc × FF = 21.6×3.22×0.72 = 50.077 W.
Efficiency, η = P_out/(G×Area) ⇒ Area = P_out/(η×G). To find the MINIMUM area needed to still deliver this maximum power reliably, the WORST-CASE (lowest) irradiance must be used, since a smaller irradiance requires a larger area for the same power output — so use G_min = 400 W/m² (using G_max would understate the required area and could fail to deliver rated power on lower-radiation days):
Area = 50.077/(0.14×400) = 50.077/56 = 0.894 m². Within official range 0.885–0.895
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