Mini Solar Panel (80x40mm, 6V, 60mA)

Prototyping and Engineering Tips from Robogears

• The Blocking Diode: When using this panel to charge a battery, always place a 1N4007 diode in series with the positive lead. This prevents the battery from discharging back through the solar panel at night, which can damage the cells and drain your power.

• Parallel vs. Series: If you need more current (e.g., 120mA), wire two of these panels in parallel. If you need more voltage (e.g., 12V), wire them in series. Note that adding panels will increase the total surface area required.

• Angle of Incidence: For maximum power output, ensure the panel is perpendicular to the sun. In India, a fixed tilt of roughly 20–30 degrees facing South is generally effective for year-round performance.

• Cloudy Day Performance: Polycrystalline panels perform better than monocrystalline ones in slightly diffused light (overcast days), but the output will still drop significantly. Always design your circuit to operate on the "minimum" expected current rather than the peak 60mA.

Package Includes

• 1 x 80x40mm 6V 60mA Mini Solar Panel

Disclaimer

Actual output depends entirely on the intensity of sunlight and geographic location. Do not short-circuit the leads for extended periods under high-intensity light as it may cause localized overheating.