Operation Module

Activity 1: Concept Map

Students create a concept map representing the complete sequence of photovoltaic conversion, from photon to electrical power, indicating for each phase:

• The physical phenomenon (absorption, excitation, separation, flow)
• The material/structure involved (semiconductor, P-N junction, contacts, circuit)
• The type of energy (photon → kinetic → potential → electrical)

Activity 2: Augmented Reality Experience

Students experience a complete Augmented Reality journey through the photovoltaic conversion process using Delightex Studio – Spaces (Marker). The AR exercise guides students through 5 sequential scenes that visualize each phase of solar energy conversion:

Scene 1: Introduction with animated sun and START button
Scene 2: Photon arrival and energy requirements (bandgap threshold)
Scene 3: P-N junction structure and charge separation
Scene 4: Current flow through external circuit and energy delivery to load
Scene 5: Final assessment with sequential conceptual quizzes

Each scene includes visual elements (diagrams, animated particles, color-coded spheres for electrons/holes), explanatory text overlays, and interactive quizzes with immediate feedback. Students navigate sequentially by tapping buttons, observing visual consequences (color desaturation for wrong answers, firework effects for success), and answering questions about photon energy thresholds, P-N junction function, and circuit behavior. The complete journey takes approximately 5-7 minutes and can be experienced individually or in small groups for collaborative discussion.

Optional extension: In small groups, students can design follow-up scenes focusing on advanced topics such as anti-reflective coatings, multi-junction cells, or real-world solar panel installations, adding their own explanatory texts and visual indicators.

Activity 3: Interactive Quiz

To verify understanding at each stage, the AR experience includes integrated quizzes with immediate visual feedback. Students answer multiple-choice questions embedded within the sequential scenes:

Scene 2 Quiz:

• What determines if a photon can generate electricity?
  (Correct: Photon energy vs bandgap)

Scene 3 Quiz:

• What creates the electric field that separates charge carriers?
  (Correct: P-N junction doping)

Scene 4 Quiz:

• Why does current stop when we cover the solar panel?
  (Correct: No photons = no electron-hole pairs generated)

Scene 5 Final Assessment (3 sequential quizzes):

1. How do we increase voltage output?
   (Correct: Connect cells in series)
2. Why can't infrared photons generate current in silicon?
   (Correct: Energy < bandgap at 1.1 eV)
3. What prevents electron-hole recombination?
   (Correct: P-N junction electric field)

Each quiz provides visual feedback: correct answers maintain vibrant colors and enable progression to the next scene, while incorrect answers trigger visual consequences (desaturation, animation stops) and allow unlimited retries, encouraging reasoning without penalties

 Optional discussion questions for advanced exploration:

• Why does shading reduce current but not voltage in series-connected cells?
• What limits the maximum efficiency of single-junction solar cells?
• How do multi-junction cells overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit?

Activity 4: Plenary Discussion

The module closes with a plenary discussion in which students:

• Critically analyze the results obtained from simulations and AR experiences
• Compare photovoltaic conversion with other energy technologies (fossil fuels, wind, hydro)
• Reflect on the role of solar energy in global decarbonization and sustainability
• Discuss trade-offs between efficiency, cost, environmental impact, and scalability