I am enjoying this thread.... In absolute darkness, I think the reverse path (from the battery to the photovoltaic cell) is near infinity - hence an open circuit. But what happens when there is a small amount of light impinging upon the PV cell? I think it will prolly be biased slightly forward - and yet not produce a significant current flow. In that case, there is prolly a reverse current throught the PV cell, hence it will act as a load on the battery. As listees have suggested, a diode that can handle the forward current of the PV cell, will prevent the reverse current path, and the degradation of the battery's charge. Marshall Ruskin > There is usually a diode in the circuit that will only allow current to > flow one way through the panel. If not, I believe that the panel will act > as a high resistance load and will drain power from the battery. > > Dave K. > > > > > >If I recall correctly from my optoelectronics class, (10 years ago) current > >won't flow backward through a photovoltaic cell, wich has a battery > >connected as a load, because the photocell is reverse biased with respect to > >the battery. > > > >I bet Darrell Boehler, if he reads this, will know for sure. > > > >Marshall Ruskin > >84 Westy |
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