Really basic question, I'm afraid. I'd like to use a solar cell (3V, 45 mA in the midday sun) to power a small circuit. The circuit uses about 3V, 18-22 mA.
1. Is it true that power from solar cells must be stored or used immediately? A battery will give you from its store what you ask for (22 mA) and no more? But with a solar cell, you have to dispose of all the current it's generating?
2. If so, where do you put those extra unwanted milliamps? Put 1-watt resistor in parallel with the load to dissipate it as heat? Or a capacitor that will discharge in 12 hours? Add a physical earth/ground?
Grateful for the help.
1. Is it true that power from solar cells must be stored or used immediately? A battery will give you from its store what you ask for (22 mA) and no more? But with a solar cell, you have to dispose of all the current it's generating?
2. If so, where do you put those extra unwanted milliamps? Put 1-watt resistor in parallel with the load to dissipate it as heat? Or a capacitor that will discharge in 12 hours? Add a physical earth/ground?
Grateful for the help.
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