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Solar cell output

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MikeK:
I picked up a small solar panel (80mm x 125mm) from Radio Shack and can't get it near the expected current output.  It's quoted as 250mA, but the best I can do in full sun is 150mA.

I noticed that the cell has 24 "sections", so I did some measurements this evening, under a desk lamp.  I found that at least 4 of the sections have almost no effect on the current output and a couple more have not much effect.

Is this normal, about what I can expect from a Chinese solar cell from Radio Shack?

IanB:
I don't know--but what's the part number? Radio Shack has many small solar panels.

MikeK:
It's this one: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12628239

amspire:

--- Quote from: MikeK on July 17, 2012, 01:12:01 am ---I picked up a small solar panel (80mm x 125mm) from Radio Shack and can't get it near the expected current output.  It's quoted as 250mA, but the best I can do in full sun is 150mA.

--- End quote ---
What part of the US are you in? Unless you are somewhere near the Mexican border, you never get a full strength Sun. More energy gets absorbed by the atmosphere before it reaches you. If you were living in New York, 150mA peak may be all you could expect from a 250mA panel.

MikeK:
About 40 degrees N latitude.  I hadn't considered it, but that makes sense.  Thanks.

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