Questions tagged [solar-cell]

Solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.

From Wikipedia: a solar cell (also called photovoltaic cell or photoelectric cell) is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.

Assemblies of cells used to make solar modules which are used to capture energy from sunlight, are known as solar panels. The energy generated from these solar modules, referred to as solar power, is an example of solar energy.

1200 questions
44
votes
2 answers

What is the failure mode of a solar panel?

I have understood that solar panels don't last forever. Warranties are typically a couple dozen years, and you can expect your panel to last for perhaps twice the warranty period. But what does exactly happen when the panel is failing? Does it fail…
juhist
  • 1,543
  • 1
  • 13
  • 19
23
votes
5 answers

Powering laptop from 12V sources without inverter

This question has two parts: 1) How inefficient is it to boost 12V to 120V and then back to 12V as in using a traditional car power inverter to power a laptop (i.e. the 12V car battery power is boosted to 120V by a power inverter and then back to…
20
votes
2 answers

Can I safely trickle charge a 24v garage actuator battery with a pair of 12v solar panels?

I have a Hormann Promatic Akku Garage door actuator, since my garage doesn't have mains electricity. Generally speaking I'm very impressed with how well it works. Unfortunately while it lasts around two months between charging, it gives almost no…
Mark Booth
  • 1,635
  • 3
  • 24
  • 45
18
votes
3 answers

Using a 12V battery while simultaneously charging via solar panel

I have a couple of 12v batteries that I'd like to use to power a cooling apparatus while camping for several days. I also have a 15W solar panel I'd like to use to top-off the battery. Can I use the battery while it is charging? Or would I have to…
nimble
  • 191
  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
13
votes
3 answers

Takes days to charge phone from 10W solar panel

I bought a small 10 W solar panel which is rated to deliver 570 mA at its peak, according to the specifications: Power: 10 Watt Max. Voltage: 18 Volt Max. Current (Imp) : 570 mA So I bought a step-down converter that drops the voltage from 18V to…
13
votes
3 answers

Reducing 12V to 5V

DISCLAIMER: I know nothing of electrical engineering I just seen this as the best fit category for my question. I have a solar panel that is being run to a controller switch (for lack of a better name) the controller switch then has a hookup for a…
w0lf
  • 133
  • 1
  • 1
  • 5
11
votes
3 answers

Measuring output of solar panels for science fair project

I am in 7th grade and doing a science fair project using different solar panel arrays. I have 3 different configurations with 6 mini panels connected. For each configuration, I have all the positive wires connected and all of the negative wires…
dm4726
  • 111
  • 4
11
votes
4 answers

Solar panel short circuit

In trying to measure the current output from a solar panel I've inadvertently short circuit the panel. Did I damaged the panel? How can I test if everything is ok?
Joao Trindade
  • 213
  • 1
  • 2
  • 5
11
votes
8 answers

How to autoregulate a TP4056 for maximum solar power extraction

I'm using a solar panel (6V - 600mA at peak power) to charge a Li-Ion (3.7V) battery using a TP4065. The TP4065 I'm using has this configuration: Where the value of the resistor Rprog determines the charging current. The issue is that the current…
Pat
  • 331
  • 2
  • 3
  • 10
10
votes
2 answers

Does a solar panel's lifespan depend on usage?

I see numbers about the lifespan of solar panels in units of years, but that got me wondering: Is the lifespan of a solar panel dependent on actual power generation, or just a finite number from the year of manufacturing? For example, if the solar…
Sittin Hawk
  • 670
  • 5
  • 15
9
votes
3 answers

Charging 12v batteries with direct connection to 20v solar panels

I want to charge a 12v Sealed Lead Acid car battery off of a solar panel (20v) and then draw about 10-20W of power from it via an inverter (the load). I'm wondering if its okay to connect it together like this: And what downsides, if any, are…
NULLZ
  • 191
  • 1
  • 1
  • 5
9
votes
6 answers

LEDs inside of solar-powered calculators

Why do a lot of solar-powered calculators contain red or infrared LEDs that are hidden from the user? So far I have only seen this in Texas Instruments calculators. Here are some examples of this in Texas Instruments calculators, taken from…
3871968
  • 879
  • 9
  • 23
9
votes
9 answers

Neophyte question about AC vs. DC (especially for powering a home)

Here in the United States the electricity grid is AC. I have heard that AC allows transmission of power at greater distances with less loss. However, with the advent of solar panels, it would seem that one could generate DC power directly and…
Dave
  • 195
  • 6
8
votes
4 answers

How do I charge a commercial lithium battery with solar cells?

I have a digital camera (Panasonic DMC-FT1) and will be going multi-day hiking with it soon. I'm looking to build a solar charger for it using something like this and strap it to my pack. Does anyone have any experience doing something like this, or…
jeremy
  • 5,055
  • 5
  • 33
  • 32
8
votes
3 answers

DC boost for low voltage?

I have a project where I'd like to convert a 0.5 V, 800 mA supply (a solar cell) to at least 3 V with as much efficiency as possible. I've seen DC boost converters, but all the ones I've seen are designed for a higher voltage. Any tips on a good low…
Shawn J. Goff
  • 1,622
  • 16
  • 27
1
2 3
79 80