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G4E09

AMATEUR RADIO PRACTICES · - Mobile and portable HF stations; alternative energy source operation

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What is the approximate open-circuit voltage from a fully illuminated silicon photovoltaic cell?

  1. A0.02 VDC
  2. B0.5 VDC
  3. C0.2 VDC
  4. D1.38 VDC
Why A photovoltaic cell is just a large silicon PN junction, and the open-circuit voltage it can develop is limited by the junction's barrier potential, roughly 0.5 volt for silicon. That is true regardless of the cell's physical size; area determines current, not voltage. This is why solar panels wire many cells in series, about 36 cells to charge a nominal 12 V battery.
Watch out The 1.38 V figure looks like a battery cell voltage (nickel or alkaline chemistry range), not a silicon junction; the 0.02 V and 0.2 V choices are far too low to be useful for charging anything.
A solar cell is a big silicon diode: about 0.5 V, same ballpark as a diode's forward drop. Current scales with area, voltage does not.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of G4E

  1. G4E01 What is the purpose of a capacitance hat on a mobile antenna?
  2. G4E02 What is the purpose of a corona ball on an HF mobile antenna?
  3. G4E03 Which of the following direct, fused power connections would be the best for a 100-watt HF mobile installatio…
  4. G4E04 Why should DC power for a 100-watt HF transceiver not be supplied by a vehicle's auxiliary power socket?
  5. G4E05 Which of the following most limits an HF mobile installation?
  6. G4E06 What is one disadvantage of using a shortened mobile antenna as opposed to a full-size antenna?
  7. G4E07 Which of the following may cause receive interference to an HF transceiver installed in a vehicle?
  8. G4E08 In what configuration are the individual cells in a solar panel connected together?
  9. G4E09 What is the approximate open-circuit voltage from a fully illuminated silicon photovoltaic cell?
  10. G4E10 Why should a series diode be connected between a solar panel and a storage battery that is being charged by t…
  11. G4E11 What precaution should be taken when connecting a solar panel to a lithium iron phosphate battery?
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