Question

The I-V characteristics of solar cell is drawn in the fourth quadrant of the coordinate axes because
(A) A solar cell does not draw current but supplies the same to the load.
(B) A solar draws current but supplies no current to the load.
(C) A solar cell draws voltage and supplies current to the load.
(D) A solar cell draws current but supplies voltage to the load.

Answer 1

Hint: To define the operation of an electric circuit, I-V curves are needed. The I-V curves or simply current-voltage characteristics curves are the set of graphs which shows the flow of current in different at various magnitude of voltages.

Complete step by step solution:
The solar cell does not need current for its operation; it gives current to the load. Also the EMF generated by the cells is positive As, the current is negative and the EMF generated is positive, that is why we have a graph in the fourth quadrant and the graph appears in the fourth quadrant.

Without illumination, a solar cell has similar I-V characteristics like a large diode. When the light is incident on the cell, the I-V curve goes in the fourth quadrant since the cell begins to produce power. The P part of the P-N junction behaves as a positive electrode and the N side of the PN junction acts as a negative terminal of the electrode. Therefore, it can be said that the flow of current from the positive side when external source resistance is connected.

Therefore, a solar cell does not withdraw current but it supplies to the load. Hence the correct option is (A).

Note: The EMF generated by the photo-voltaic cell in the open circuit, i.e. when no current is taken from it is represented by VOC (V-open circuit). That is the highest value of EMF. When a large resistance is put up in the external circuit, a little current flows through it and the voltage value decreases.