Electronics > Beginners

Solar panel diode confusion

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boB:
If it is series, then it would most likely so be that the battery is not discharged as much by the panel over night.

PV modules are very leaky that way so the diode can help that.

oPossum:
Is this panel sold for some specific use like battery charging?

Small panels intended for direct connection to a lead acid battery will typically have a series diode to prevent discharge of the battery. Panels intended for use with a charge controller or inverter will typically have a parallel diode or no diode.
 

fourfathom:

--- Quote from: oPossum on September 16, 2019, 01:14:59 am ---Looks like series to me.
--- End quote ---

Yes, looking at your annotations you appear to be right (and I was wrong).  It is a series diode, and is there to prevent a dark panel from draining the battery.  A good controller won't let this happen anyway, but with a cheap controller or a direct battery connection the diode is probably a good idea.

I tested some of my 100W panels and they actually didn't leak significantly until the reverse voltage exceeded the panel Voc (open-circuit voltage).  Other panels may be more leaky than mine were.

andrewlapham:

--- Quote from: oPossum on September 16, 2019, 01:14:59 am ---Looks like series to me.



--- End quote ---

jesus that picture really cleared everything up for me, i thought the diode was facing the wrong way and it was wreaking my head. haha, thanks

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