Calibrated Solar Cell

This 2 x 4 cm calibrated silicon solar cell is rated to produce a specific open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current in 1 Peak Sun (1000W per square meter) of solar insolation. For silicon solar cells, the current output is almost linear to the amount of light. So, for example, a calibrated cell rated to produce 200 mA in 1 Peak Sun will produce about 100 mA in 1/2 Peak Sun, and about 50 mA in 1/4 Peak Sun.

You can take your solar science project to another level by using this calibrated cell to measure the actual level of light during your experiment! Measure how fast a motor can lift a weight in different levels of sunlight with this solar weightlifting experiment set-up! Or, compare two different solar panels in the same level of sunlight. You can also learn how the level of sunlight varies with the angle of the solar panel. Have fun!