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Please select from the list below or the links on the right. 

Educational Solar Panels

MiniScience offers expandable solar panel modules that can work independently or can be linked to each other to produce higher voltage or higher current or both.

Each solar panel module is coated with Polycrystalline Epoxy Resin for added protection.

Small Solar Panels (1.5 V)

This is the smallest solar panel that can individually run a small hobby motor Such as RE140RA, RE140SA or any of the RF300CA motors. Only one of this solar panel is used in Solar Car Kit of MiniScience and it is sufficient to run the card in a smooth flat surface. Some students install 2 of this solar panels in their solar car models to generate a higher torque. Give one solar panel, one motor and one propeller to each student and allow them to discover the solar energy for themselves. They will soon learn that the angle of sunlight is an important factor in the amount of electricity produced by solar panels.

Specifications:

Size: 60 mm x 80 mm
Output Voltage: 1.5 Volts
Output Current: 400 mA
Watts: 0.6 watt output.

Product Code: SOLARP.6W

Small Solar Panel

Large Solar Panels (6 V)

This is the perfect solar panel for learning or teaching about solar energy. It produces enough electricity to run almost every hobby motor, every light bulb, and operate every electronic device rated up to 6 volts. (See the list below).

Specifications:

Size: 135 mm x 165 mm
Output Voltage: 6 Volts
Output Current: 550 mA

Watts: 3.3 watt output.

Product Code: SOLARP3.3W

 

Large Solar Panel (Educational)

The DC motors you can try with this solar panel include:

  1. RE140RA (For demonstration and short term operations)

  2. RE140SA (For demonstration and short term operations)

  3. RC280SA (For demonstration or long term operations)

  4. RF300CA11400 (0.7 V - 5.0 V)

  5. RF300CA14270 (0.5 V - 4.0 V)

All the above motors are also compatible with our propellers.

All MiniScience LED's and small light bulbs can also operate with this solar panel. Please note that if the voltage of solar panel is much higher than the rated voltage of light bulbs, it can burn the light bulb.

The electricity produced by each solar panel comes out of the back using a pair of (red and black) wires. Output wires are soldered for added security and have insulated and tinned ends for easy connection.

Solar panel modules are used for solar energy science experiments, solar cars, solar robots and solar chargers.

Optimize your solar panel

For best performance solar panel modules must be under direct sunlight so that the sun rays hit the surface of solar panel in a right angle. The produced voltage will be lower if the weather is cloudy or sun rays reach the panel on a sharp angle.

Produce more voltage

You may connect 2 or more solar modules in series in order to produce more voltage. To connect in series you may connect the red wire of each module to the black wire of the next module. The voltage between the black wire of the first module and the red wire of the last modules is usually calculated by multiplying the voltage of one module by the number of modules. For example you may connect 4 of the 1.5-Volt solar modules in series to produce 6 volts.

Produce more current

You may connect two or more solar modules in parallel in order to increase the current. For parallel connection you will connect all red wires together and all black wires together. The maximum output current of parallel solar modules may be calculated by multiplying the max current of one module by the number of modules.

Produce more voltage and current

Solar modules may be connected both in parallel and in series to produce more current and voltage.  For example you can make an array of 60 solar modules in 10 rows (6 panel in each row). Panels of each row are connected in series, while the rows are also connected to each other on their ends to form a parallel connection.

Store the produced energy

Solar panels do not store energy. The production of electricity stops as soon as you remove the solar panel away from the sunlight. Electrical energy from solar panel can be stored in batteries for later use. In order to store electricity from solar panel you will need a battery or an array of linked chargeable batteries with sufficient capacity for the amount of energy you want to store and the amount of energy your solar panels produce. You will also need a charge controller that can regulate the charge process and connect or disconnect the circuits as needed.

Distributors of scientific and educational products

Where to buy?

Most pictures are linked to the pricing and online store for fast and convenient ordering

Our products are available at the following online stores. For large orders please call in advance and verify the availability, wholesale discounts and shipping options. If you cannot find any product in the online store of your choice, please use the search option of the store or call (973)777-3113 for further assistance.

MiniScience
ScienceKitStore
ChemicalStore

  All orders will be shipped from our warehouse in United States (USA). We ship worldwide to most countries including U.S., Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, and many other countries.

List of metals for science experiments

Multimeters

Miniature Light Bulb
Miniature Light Bulbs
Miniature Lamp holder
Miniature Lamp Holders

Metal lamp holders

Test Leads

Plastic Battery Holders

Buzzer, 3-V DC

Crystal Earphone
Simple Switch, Knife Switch
Simple Switch

 

Transformer
Transformers
Banana Jack
Banana Jacks
banana Plug
Banana Plugs
Binding Post
Binding Posts
Dynamo, Bicycle Generator
Dynamo, Generator
Electric Bell
Bells and Buzzers
Magnet Wire
Magnet Wire
Transformer Coil, Educational
Transformer Kit

Knife Switch with plastic screw connectors

Electromagnet
Wire
Wires

UV Lamp/Fixture

Thermoelectric Cooler
Battery Holder, Metal, D Size
Metal Battery Holders

Thermoelectric Generator

Portable UV light (Blacklight)

Push Button Switches

Subminiature light bulbs

Plasma Ball

Educational Buzzer


Electric Bell
 

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