Learn how to harness the energy of the sun in your Electronics and Design and Technology projects with our new Solar Power Starter Kit. With this kit, it is possible to build a simple solar charging and power supply system for a variety of useful low-power devices.
As of 2017, renewable energy accounted for more than 25% of energy produced in the UK for the year. Environmental targets are such that this is set to increase year on year. Solar power is already a key player in the renewable energy market, and there is the potential for it to grow much larger still. It has been estimated that covering just a fraction of the Sahara Desert in solar panels would provide enough electricity to power the energy needs of the whole world!
The Solar Power Starter kit itself is a simple kit to build and understand. Once the kit has been set up and placed in direct sunlight, the batteries will begin to charge. If the light level is insufficient to facilitate charging, the diode prevents any of the charge held in the batteries from discharging back through the solar cell. The supplied switch enables you cut power to the kit that you are powering for greater recharging efficiency.
If used with the included Kitronik LED Desk Lamp Kit, for example, fully charged batteries will provide light for up to 17 hours, more than enough for a little light reading.
Note:
- This kit requires assembly and some soldering.
Features:
- Harness the energy of the sun and add simple solar charging and power supply to your low-power devices.
- Learn about renewable energy and how simple it can be incorporated into your designs.
- A Small Signal Schottky Diode is supplied to protect against accidental discharging of the batteries through the solar cell.
- Examples of Kitronik kits that can be used in conjunction with the Solar Power kit are;
- 2155 5V LED Desk Lamp Kit– Included with the Solar Power Starter Kit.
- 2157 FM Radio Kit V2.0.
- 2165 Mono Amplifier Version 3.0.
- 2162 USB Fan Kit.
Contents:
- 1 x 5.0V 130mA Polycrystalline Solar Cell.
- 1 x BAT41 Signal Diode.
- 1 x SPST Toggle Switch.
- 1 x 5V LED Desk Lamp Kit.
- 1 x 3x AA Battery Holder with Flying Leads.
- 3 x Rechargeable AA Battery (1300mA/h).
- Length of red connecting wire.
- Length of black connecting wire.
Solar Cell Dimensions:
- Length: 58mm.
- Width: 110mm.
- Height: 3mm.
Video:
Requires:
Resources:
Documents & Downloads
Technical Information
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage Nominal | 5V. |
| Solar Cell Output Current | Nominal |
| Battery Nominal Voltage | 3.6V. |
| Battery Capacity | 1300mAh. |
| Charging Time (Flat to Full Capacity) Min. | 10 hours (UK Full Sun in June for 12 hours) |
| Lamp Kit Supply Voltage Range | 2.5V - 5.5V. |
| Lamp Kit Nominal Voltage | 5.0V. |
| Max. Current at Nominal Voltage | 175mA. |
| Max Current at 3.6V (Nominal Battery Voltage) | 75mA. |
| Estimated Light Running Time (Fully Charged Battery To Flat) | 17 Hours. |
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