How Does a LEGO Solar Cell Work?
Background The Lego Solar Cell is manufactured by a company called eLab, and is part number W979912. It was developed in conjunction with Shell Renewables in order to teach children about sources of renewable energy. While Lego calls their cells solar cells, they are technically photovoltaic cells, because they can use energy from any light source, not just the sun. Configuration The Lego Solar Panel consists of seven green photovoltaic cells and one diode. (a diode restricts current to only flow in one direction) The cells are protected by a thin sheet of plastic, and connected in what is called a serial configuration. This means that the cells are connected one after another, rather than in pairs, or in a sheet. The cells can produce up to 2.8 V in direct sunlight. Photons Are Absorbed The first event in the process to convert light energy to electricity is when light hits the Lego solar cell. Photons, or the particles of energy in light, are absorbed. Photons are more likely to be a
