You've asked for a module that puts out 6-9 volts @ 100 mA. A more
accurate description of a solar panel would be that it puts out 100 mA
at 6-9 volts. Solar cells act a lot more like a current source than a
voltage source. So a panel that's rated at 100 mA at 12 volts will also
put out about 100 mA at 6 or 9 volts. (It'll be a bit more than 100 mA,
but not a whole lot more.) The open circuit voltage of a "12 volt" solar
panel (one intended to deliver current to a 12-14 volt load) will be
somewhere around 18 or 20 volts, and one specifically designed to work
at 6 volts will be about half that, 9 or 10 volts. So if you have a 6 -
9 volt device that you want to power with solar cells, you'll have to
float the panel across a battery, or use a voltage regulator to limit
the voltage. (A properly sized zener diode would be adequate for the
power level you're dealing with.) A 12 volt panel will be physically
larger than you need, but it might be easier to find and less expensive.

If you're looking for a module that includes a built in voltage
regulator to limit the voltage to 6 - 9 volts, you need to make it
clear. Most of the responses seem to be referring to 12 volt panels,
which will be fine if you limit the voltage, but won't be suitable if
you need voltage regulation to be included in the external module.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Bill Bowden wrote:

maxfoo wrote in message . ..

Anyone know of any solar cell vendors that sell
solar cell modules that put out 6-9volt @ 100mA?


TIA,



Lots of solar panels for sale on ebay. Here's a 12 volt 200mA
unit for 11 dollars.

Http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...7173 830&rd=1


-Bill