Questions tagged [solar-cell]

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

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How do SolarEdge power optimizers work? Can I use them to charge battery pack directly?

When looking for some MPPT solutions for a solar car, one of the things I have considered were these wonderful small "Solar Optimizer" modules provided by SolarEdge. However, they are ...
Power Max's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
97 views

Solar panel for 6 V, 1100 Wh battery

I have a sensor in a remote area that draws 15 mA @ 6 V for 16 hours each day, powered by a 6 V, 1100 Wh low discharge battery. I'm trying to achieve around 2 years of autonomy. Daily consumption is 1....
Geologic's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
7k views

LTSpice Solar / photovoltaic simulation

I've been trying to simulate a solar cell with LTSpice to generate an I-V curve. The model I've been using is the simplified equivalent circuit model with a current source in parallel with a diode. ...
oeasand's user avatar
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3 votes
4 answers
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Advice for a Solar Charger and Battery Project

I am a high school robotics teacher (no formal engineering training) and I am taking a group of students to Kenya this summer to work with high school students there. The organization we are ...
SteveC's user avatar
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0 answers
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Why am I not getting the expected simulation output in LTspice after adding bypass diodes to my PV module?

I am trying to simulate solar cells of a solar module with 72 cells and see the effects of partial shading and the activation of bypass diode. For now I am just simulating 2 cells of the PV module as ...
Mayur's user avatar
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0 answers
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How can I modify this PCB "Solar lamp Mosquito Zapper"?

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab This is the PCB. This is a little schema The function is the solar cell charging the battery (2 x 1.2 V NiMH in parallel), and when ...
Carlos Chan's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
929 views

How to convert battery powered roller blinds to be solar powered?

I have some battery powered roller shades that I'd like to convert to using rechargeable batteries using a solar panel as the charger. My blinds are Norman Pro-Lift 25 CE blinds. They run off a long ...
spockdude's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
184 views

DIY UPS for Home Automation/Energy Management system

OK, the original post asked too many questions and I was asked to rewrite the post question. So after reviewing the old post and rethinking the project here it is. So, as requested, I will ask 1 ...
Mustang65's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
461 views

Solar charging a lipo battery with ESP8266 as a battery load

I am trying to add solar harvesting capability to my IoT device based on esp8266. I am using linear charge controller (MCP 73831) with solar input to charge a 500maH lipo battery. An observation when ...
Parin10's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
6k views

Li-po battery balance charging circuit

I work on a solar tracking project and in this project I have to charge my Li-po battery to store power and use this power for supplying the system. For this problem, I searched for Li-po battery ...
Kivanc Gultekin's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
556 views

Using an automotive stereo capacitor for other uses

I am looking into using a capacitor to buffer voltage drops for a 12V solar power system. Since it seems I need a pretty big Farad number to give at least half a second of buffer time for my load, I ...
Josh Diehl's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
674 views

Equivalent circuit for solar cell

I have a question regarding the equivalent circuit for a solar cell. The circuit includes a diode to model the p-n junction of the cell. When some part of the photo-generated current flows through ...
stochastic13's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
73 views

Drawing energy from a 3.7V LiPo battery while simultaneously charging with a solar panel

I have a 200mAh 3.7V (0.7W) LiPo battery that I am looking to use as an energy source for a large model airship. I also have a 7.2V 100mA (0.72W) solar panel that I would like to use as a means of ...
CJL's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
60 views

I want to switch solar panels between a micro inverter and a backup system. How can I do that?

Solar Inverters are switched off during a blackout and make that you have DC electricity on your roof while being without AC in your home. This may not be as urgent where you live, but in countries ...
wogoos's user avatar
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42 views

Flexible solar cell powered LED

I want to make flexible solar cell-powered LED. The flexible solar cell that I want to use is ONP1.2-12X24 and I just want to use chip LED. When I connect only one ONP1.2-12X24, it shows near 1.2V. ...
Beginner's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
108 views

Lithium Ion Solar Battery Charger with current measurement

I have designed battery operated device. The current consumption is around 4ma. The battery which I use , is shown in following fig. the following schematic I have used to cutoff solar panel when ...
inventionClass's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
82 views

How to prevent a nichrome wire from melting under variable energy?

I’m experimenting with a DIY “sand battery”. The “battery” is a pot lined inside with an insulator and filled with sand. The sand is heated by a nichrome wire placed at the bottom. The wire is ...
Sophivorus's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
16 views

How to wire 2 different sets of panels to the same battery bank

My question is how do I add 2 different sets of panels to the same battery bank? I'm currently trying to design a solar array that will fit my tiny RV. Ive worked out how to fit 790w on my lil rig ...
JT Tucker's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
119 views

Connecting two solar panels in parallel with different voltage - circuit model

I am interested in understanding how two solar panels with different voltages in parallel work. Despite it is not recommended, but it may occur when for example one panel is defected, under shading or ...
Al-Farouq's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
70 views

Looking for ways to combine the power outputs of different renewable energy sources

I've been researching ways of combining the outputs of different renewable energy sources (e.g. solar panels and DC rectified wind turbines) to provide a single output that could then be connected to ...
formerlolz's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
120 views

How to specify component values in LT Spice PV cell model to match real-world panel Short Circuit & Open Circuit spec?

Images below are from the LT Spice solar cell model I've set up as an approximate representation of the solar panel I'm using for testing. I'm not sure if I'm setting component values correctly to ...
formerlolz's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
53 views

Why does solar current drop when charging a battery with a MPP controller?

I'm trying to build a model using a PV panel to charge a battery (a buck converter in between). I use a MPP controller to track the maximum power point. The solar irradiance and temperature are set as ...
Karenokaren's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
167 views

Simplest solar panel home installation to power electric heaters?

Background: With the surging cost of electricity (I'm in Europe), I want to install solar panels to power electric heaters at home. Research = batteries are needed: All setups I see include batteries (...
Max's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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How to connect a 20 V/0.6 A solar panel to a 3.7v/4000mAh battery and 1amp load

I have a 10 W solar panel, which I can see outputs approx 20 V in bright sunshine and is rated at approx 0.6 A. I have a 3.7 V 4000 mAh (14.8 Wh) li-ion battery. I want the panel and battery to form ...
ng5000's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
62 views

Component protection and charge optimisation for Solar + Supercapacitors

What are the best protective practices for solar cells and supercapacitors when they are used for small outdoor projects? Moreover, are there any way of widening the useable voltage output range of a ...
skillz21's user avatar
  • 506
1 vote
0 answers
634 views

USB-C power delivery, how to power 20V pd device from "dirty" +20V source?

I want to charge my laptop from a solar pv panel. It charges via USB-C and so I bought a cheapo usb solar panel off ebay and a "power bank". Turns out, the "power bank" is only for ...
Smyther's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
0 answers
299 views

Solar panel to USB conversion

I have a 12V 10W solar panel that I'd like to use to charge a power bank (USB input). Here are the stated characteristics: V(max power) = 19.5V, I(max power) = 520mA, V(open-circuit) = 22.5V, I(short-...
Aashish Sharma's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
60 views

Are PV panels convenient without incentives?

I finally finished a project in which I designed a 55 kW of PV system for a 50 kW load and I finally calculate costs and revenues over 20 years. I found that with a 25% of incentives for the cost of ...
Samuele Benito Di Gioia's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
409 views

Can I use "ideal diode" in series in solar cells?

i have a small experimental solar panel system to gain knowledge before moving on large power systems. My system is 5 solar cells in series, each 5.8V 0,52A (peak power). So total is 29V 0,52A (about ...
HeliTux's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Running 12 V water valve from 18650

I am looking for a suitable solution for my challenge: I want to run a 12 V water valve (0.5 A current) with Li-ion 3.7 V - 4.2 V batteries while being able to charge these from a 5 V solar panel (or ...
Sahar Cohen's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
177 views

Photovoltaic system that charges a Li-Po battery while supplying a 1.4V load

I am a mechanical engineering student and not that familiar with electronics. I am currently trying to establish a photovoltaic (PV) system that can charge a 3.7V 100mAh lipo battery and deliver ...
BennyJohn's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Connecting lead-acid battery in parallel with lead-calcium battery

So I have a 12 V solar system (panels produce 20 V but batteries are 12 V. I also have a set of 5 batteries. One of these batteries is a marine deep cycle battery and the other is a group of five lead ...
Couch Mango's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
127 views

Representation of Photovoltaic cell and BESS in Microgrid by first order transfer function

I am working in the are of frequency control of Microgrid and have come across many publications (For example: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0142061515005220 (Pg 3,5)), ...
SaJ's user avatar
  • 166
1 vote
0 answers
79 views

Noob Question, 74HC240 and Solar Cells

My idea is to start soldering and I would start with something quite simple. I chose the project (https://cdn.makezine.com/make/08/pummer.pdf), a pummer with solar cell charging up a supercapacitor ...
mant0's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
0 answers
38 views

Getting most power from low voltage solar powers, each different angle

I have a specific problem. I have 10 small solar panels, each max 5.5V and 100mW power. Each one is at a different angle. I want to get the most power out of it. Cost is not really a problem, but I do ...
asanoki's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
0 answers
79 views

Monitoring PWM Solar System

I want to try and make a power monitoring system for an off-grid solar system using a micro-controller (esp8266). I started by monitoring the battery voltage (using a voltage divider and an ADS1115) ...
Sahar Cohen's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
90 views

Solar PV - STC, Irradiation, Air Mass

Let's assume that a panel has an efficiency of 15%. What will be the output at STC, will it be - P = 15% * 1000 W/m2 = 150 W/m2 or will there be an adjustment for the air mass of 1.5? Basically, does ...
hurreechunder's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
104 views

How to use a Simpson 262 model 2 to measure voltage and milliamperage of solar cells

In cleaning out my dad's garage after his death I found a Simpson 262 Model 2 meter. As a hobby, I fix and upgrade garden and pathway solar powered LED lights. I have a box of miscellaneous solar ...
Eddy's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
0 answers
145 views

Would this battery/solar powered esp32 weather station work?

I am trying to design a circuit that runs an esp32 with a dh11 sensor but i am unsure if it would work. On the top left is a mcp73831-5-OT li ion battery charging chip (the random wire on the left is ...
RandomInternetPerson's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
61 views

Wiring an automatic solar light for a tiny library

I want to add a light that comes on when you open the door to my tiny library that's powered by a small solar panel. I'm no electrical expert but I do know basics enough to make simple circuits. My ...
user168694's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
124 views

Unexpected wattage into charge controller (solar panels)

I'm building a solar system w/ battery for my camper van. Two identical 110W panels wired in parallel, going into an MPPT charge controller and battery (a Yeti 1000 by Goal Zero, 96.8Ah (10.8V) ...
user's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
0 answers
389 views

Solar powered TP4056 Lipo Charger burning

My project is to build a porch light which will run on a 3.7V Lipo battery, which is charged via 5V solar panel during the day. It has a PIR sensor and has a set timer to light a large LED once a ...
Alper Kayar's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
733 views

MPPT Reads Negative Amps

I have MPPSolar PCM5048 MPPT which is connected between the solar panels and the batteries. It was working well until yesterday as a sudden it reads negative amps on the battery current. it keeps ...
Jaz's user avatar
  • 133
1 vote
1 answer
72 views

Electrical calculation

I'm need to calculate the how long it will take to charge a battery using a solar cell. I am not taking any charge curves into account, I just want to get a close answer before I run the experiment. I ...
Bryan Cunningham's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
120 views

Recharging a 11volt rechargeable battery using multiple 5volt solar panels (Size: 53*30*3mm)

I want to make a circuit using solar panels. I want to recharge e 11Volt 1200mAh rechargeable battery with my solar circuit. The solar panel I will be using is 5volt, 30mAh. So my question is, how ...
Mainul Hossain's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
105 views

By pass diode in PV cells

hope you all are well The bypass diode is usually connected in parallel with PV cell to avoid hot spot and prevent more PV output power losses. The bypass diode is connected in opposite direction to ...
Ali's user avatar
  • 101
1 vote
1 answer
39 views

The best way to test a solar panel generation

Is there any way to test how much a solar panel on a given position can generate for let say a day or few days. Like a multimeter that can automatically test the wattage days example? Or create a ...
user3439164's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
48 views

Protecting Copper Anode in 12V DC System

Getting to grips with cathodic protection here. If someone had a 12, 24 or 48VDC system, say solar PV and batteries, and the battery negative is earthed, this means the earth is the cathode, and the ...
danbates's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
350 views

Li-ion battery solar powered circuit

I am currently working on a solar-powered project but I am having a hard time making it work. I have a PCB with an Arduino and a sensor, this circuit consumes 250 mA for around 2 seconds every 10 ...
Eddie Vazquez's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
65 views

Outdoor versus indoor amourphous silicon solar cells

I've read in a few articles that amorphous silicon (a-Si) based solar cells have a greater spectral response for indoor light conditions here. If this is the case, then why manufacturers emphasize ...
vmontazeri's user avatar

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