Solar Cell (Small) Symbol
Definition: The Solar Cell (Small) symbol represents a single photovoltaic cell drawn as a labeled rectangle with a 'PV' designation and two output terminals (+ and −), denoting a semiconductor junction device that converts incident light energy directly into direct-current (DC) electrical energy via the photovoltaic effect, as defined in IEC 60617-11 and referenced in ANSI Y32.2/IEEE 315.
Also known as: photovoltaic cell symbol, PV cell symbol, solar cell symbol, photoelectric cell, solar cell schematic symbol.
What the Solar Cell (Small) symbol means
The Solar Cell symbol represents the fundamental building block of solar energy systems — a semiconductor p-n junction (typically monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon, or thin-film material) that generates a small DC voltage (approximately 0.5–0.6 V open-circuit) when photons strike the depletion region and release electron-hole pairs. In a circuit diagram, the symbol identifies the energy source and its polarity, with the positive terminal at the top and negative at the bottom.
In system-level schematics, individual solar cell symbols may be grouped to represent a solar module or panel, though a separate 'solar panel' symbol is more common for that purpose. The solar cell symbol is used primarily in detailed photovoltaic cell characterization circuits, energy-harvesting designs, and educational diagrams where the single-cell behavior (open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor) is the focus of analysis.
How to identify the Solar Cell (Small) symbol
The Solar Cell (Small) symbol appears as a rectangular outline divided internally by two vertical lines and one horizontal line, forming a grid of six cells, with the label 'PV' centered inside. Two terminal stubs emerge from the left edge: the upper stub is the positive (+) terminal and the lower stub is the negative (−) terminal. This grid-of-cells appearance distinguishes it from a generic battery cell (single long and short parallel lines) and from a photodiode symbol (diode triangle with inbound arrows).
Function in a circuit
A solar cell converts photon energy from light (most efficiently sunlight) into DC electrical current through the photovoltaic effect. When photons with sufficient energy strike the semiconductor p-n junction, they excite electrons across the bandgap, generating a photo-current. The cell behaves like a current source in parallel with a diode: the open-circuit voltage is approximately 0.5–0.6 V for silicon, and the short-circuit current is proportional to irradiance (approximately 8–10 mA/cm² at 1000 W/m² for silicon). Maximum power is extracted at the maximum-power point (MPP), tracked by a charge controller or MPPT converter.
Standards: IEC vs ANSI
| IEC 60617 | IEC 60617-11 (production of light and radiant energy) includes the photovoltaic cell symbol. The IEC symbol shows two arrows pointing at the diode symbol (a triangle-and-bar), representing incident light on a semiconductor junction. For block-level system diagrams, IEC practice uses a labeled rectangle marked 'PV'. |
|---|---|
| ANSI/IEEE 315 | ANSI Y32.2-1975 (IEEE 315) includes the photovoltaic transducer symbol as a diode symbol with inbound light arrows. In US system diagrams, a rectangle labeled 'PV CELL' or the IEC-style diode-with-arrows is used interchangeably. |
| Key difference | The IEC 60617 detailed symbol uses a p-n diode with inbound photon arrows; ANSI Y32.2/IEEE 315 uses a similar diode-with-arrows. Both standards converge on the same graphical concept. Block-level schematics in both regions use a labeled 'PV' rectangle with + and − terminals. |
Terminals / pins
| Pin | Name |
|---|---|
| pos | + |
| neg | - |
Typical values
Open-circuit voltage (Voc): 0.5–0.65 V per cell (silicon). Short-circuit current density (Jsc): 30–40 mA/cm² at 1000 W/m². Maximum power point voltage (Vmpp): approximately 0.45–0.55 V. Efficiency: 15–24% (monocrystalline silicon), 10–18% (polycrystalline), 8–16% (thin-film). Temperature coefficient: approximately −0.3 to −0.5 %/°C for Voc.
Where the Solar Cell (Small) symbol is used
- Solar energy harvesting circuits for IoT sensors and wireless nodes where a single cell or small array powers a microcontroller
- Educational circuit diagrams illustrating photovoltaic effect, I-V curve characterisation, and equivalent circuit modelling
- Wearable electronics and smart textiles integrating flexible thin-film solar cells for self-powered operation
- Solar-powered calculators and consumer electronics using amorphous silicon cells under indoor lighting
- Photovoltaic characterisation test benches where individual cell parameters (Voc, Isc, FF) are measured
- Energy-harvesting reference designs combining a solar cell with a supercapacitor and low-power MPPT IC
Example
In a solar-powered wireless temperature sensor design, a single solar cell symbol (PV, + and − terminals) is connected to a TP4056 charge controller IC. The + terminal feeds the MPPT input of the controller, and the − terminal connects to circuit ground. Under 200 lux indoor lighting, the cell supplies approximately 1.5 mA to trickle-charge a 100 mAh LiPo battery, sustaining the sensor through low-light periods.
Key facts
- The Solar Cell symbol represents a photovoltaic semiconductor junction that converts light energy into DC electrical energy, with the positive (+) terminal at the top and negative (−) at the bottom, as referenced in IEC 60617-11.
- A single silicon solar cell produces an open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.5–0.65 V and a short-circuit current density of 30–40 mA/cm² at standard test conditions (STC: 1000 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5 spectrum).
- In circuit diagrams, the solar cell symbol uses the schematic designator PV (photovoltaic) or BT for battery-like sources; IEC 61346 classifies solar cells as energy transducers.
- The detailed IEC 60617-11 symbol for a solar cell is a diode (triangle pointing to a bar) with two inbound arrows representing incident photons, indicating the light-to-electricity conversion direction.
- The photovoltaic effect was discovered by Edmond Becquerel in 1839; practical silicon solar cells were first produced by Bell Laboratories in 1954 at approximately 6% efficiency.
- Solar cells have an internal equivalent circuit consisting of a current source (photo-current Iph) in parallel with a diode and series resistance (Rs) and shunt resistance (Rsh), which determines the fill factor and maximum power output.
- Multiple solar cells connected in series increase voltage proportionally; cells connected in parallel increase current capacity. A typical 60-cell residential solar module (6×10 series cells) produces approximately 30–37 V at Vmpp.
- The solar cell symbol has two terminals: positive (pin id: pos) and negative (pin id: neg).
Frequently asked questions
What does the solar cell symbol look like in a circuit diagram?
The Solar Cell (Small) symbol appears as a small rectangle labeled 'PV' with an internal grid pattern representing the cell structure. Two terminals emerge from the left: the upper terminal is positive (+) and the lower terminal is negative (−). In detailed schematics, the IEC 60617 symbol uses a diode triangle-and-bar with two inbound arrows to show photons striking the junction.
What does the solar cell symbol mean in a schematic?
The solar cell symbol represents a photovoltaic energy source — a semiconductor device that converts light into direct-current (DC) electricity. In a circuit, it functions as a light-dependent current source: when illuminated, current flows from the positive terminal through the external circuit to the negative terminal.
What is the difference between the solar cell symbol and the solar panel symbol?
The solar cell symbol represents a single photovoltaic junction, producing approximately 0.5–0.6 V open-circuit. The solar panel symbol represents a complete module made up of many cells in series and parallel, producing a higher voltage (typically 18–36 V) and is shown as a larger rectangle with a grid of rows and columns. In schematics, the panel symbol is used for system-level diagrams and the cell symbol for component-level analysis.
What standard defines the solar cell symbol?
IEC 60617-11 (graphical symbols for diagrams — production of light and radiant energy) defines the photovoltaic cell symbol as a diode with inbound photon arrows. ANSI Y32.2/IEEE 315 uses an equivalent diode-with-arrows symbol. Both standards identify the schematic designator as PV.
What are the terminals on a solar cell symbol?
A solar cell symbol has two terminals: the positive (+) terminal, which is the p-type anode of the p-n junction where conventional current exits under illumination, and the negative (−) terminal, which is the n-type cathode. In the symbol used on circuitdiagrammaker.com, pin id 'pos' is the positive terminal and pin id 'neg' is the negative terminal.
What voltage does a solar cell produce?
A single silicon solar cell produces an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of approximately 0.5–0.65 V at standard test conditions (STC: 1000 W/m², 25°C). The maximum-power-point voltage (Vmpp) is approximately 0.45–0.55 V. To obtain higher voltages, cells are connected in series; a typical 60-cell solar panel produces approximately 36 V open-circuit.
How is the solar cell symbol different from a photodiode symbol?
Both symbols use the IEC diode-with-arrows representation, but a photodiode symbol is used for a light-sensing device operating in reverse bias (photodetector mode), while a solar cell symbol represents a device operating in forward bias as a power source. In system block diagrams, a solar cell is drawn as a 'PV' rectangle with + and − power terminals rather than signal-level input/output pins.
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