In a sunny location, sunlight has a power density of about 1 kW/m2. Photovoltaic solar cells can convert this power into electricity with 16% efficiency.
If a typical home uses 390 kWâ‹…h of electricity per month, how many square meters of solar cells would be required to meet its energy requirements? Assume that electricity can be generated from the sunlight for 8 h/day.

Express your answer using two significant figures.

Respuesta :

We require 304.69 m² of Photovoltaic solar cells to meet its energy requirements.

Since the power density of sunlight is 1 kW/m², let A be the area of the Photovoltaic solar cells. The total power from the sun is thus P = 1 kW/m² × A = A kW. Since the Photovoltaic cells are 16 % efficient, the power from the cells is 0.16 × A kW = 0.16A kW.

Also an average home uses 390 kWh. The energy used in 8 hours is thus

390 kWh/8 h = 48.75 kW.

Since this power equals the power from the photovoltaic solar cells, we have that

0.16A kW = 48.75 kW

A = 48.75 kW/0.16 kW

A = 304.69 m²

So, we require 304.69 m² of Photovoltaic solar cells to meet its energy requirements.

Learn more about Photovoltaic solar cells here:

https://brainly.com/question/16000219

Q&A Education