Solar Powered Tropical Beverage Cooling Mug - blog #2 - the solar panel characterization

10 Jun 2023

See blog #1 for the concept details

Solar Powered Tropical Beverage Cooling Mug -Blog #1 - the concept

Blog #2 explores the capabilities of the solar panel

The solar panel selected is an inexpensive hobby solar panel rated 12V 1.5 watts, model # CNC85X115-18 12V 1.5W .....(125mA )?

Wow - I wonder of that spec applies to all light conditions and solar panel loads.......no published data for the solar cell.....here is my experiment:

The output voltage was measured at no load full sun, no load panel covered, and full sun various loads,

RESULTANT OBSERVATION:

PEAK WATTS of the solar panel output are 10V 92 mA the rating of 12V 125mA may require flying earth closer to the sun.

The solar panel output was significantly effected by outside temperature and the temperature caused by the sunlight itself. Panel hotter means less output.