How big would a solar power cell need to be

[Starwatcher16]

How big would a solar power cell need to be...to power a 0.5 A load (240v)? How about 1 A?2? 10? 50?

Just curious.

 

[DaleSwanson]

Watts = Amps x Volts. So for 1 Amp at 240 Volts that's a 240 watt solar cell. A google search brings up some 240 watt solar cells.

Size of Module (mm) : 1600*1050*40 mm
Weight Per piece (KG) : 19.5 Kg

http://www.ecplaza.net/product/182178_978109/240_watt_solar_panel.html

HP240 1580mm x 1068mm x 40mm 20kg

http://www.dako.co.za/monocrystalline_solar_90-240W.html

That's about 1.68 m² per 1 amp at 240 volts. To get the other sizes just multiply.

 

[Bob S]

That's about 1.68 m² per 1 amp at 240 volts. To get the other sizes just multiply.

So you say that a 1.68 m² pv solar cell area can produce 240 watts, or 143 watts per m². The available insolation at high noon at sea level is about 1000 watts per m², so this implies about 14.3% efficiency. Here is a triple-junction solar pv cell that Emcore claims has 27.5% efficiency:
http://www.emcore.com/assets/photovoltaics/ATJ_datasheet_2009.11.03.pdf