I posted this in another area, but I think this question belongs here...
I would like to build a simple charging circuit where I can collect light using solar panels (small panels) and store the energy. I would then like to measure the amount of energy collected. I was thinking of hooking up the panels to a capacitor and measuring the voltage at various points in time to see how much energy has been collected. Is it that simple or is there more to it?
Also- I connected the capacitor to the solar panel and it charged up to 3V (the output of the panel). When I covered the panel, the capacitor voltage dropped along with the output of the panel. Why is this? How could I keep the voltage previoulsy stored in the capacitor stable if the input voltage drops? Is there any way for the capacitor (which is a 35V capacitor) to "suck up" the voltage and ever reach 35V?
I would like to build a simple charging circuit where I can collect light using solar panels (small panels) and store the energy. I would then like to measure the amount of energy collected. I was thinking of hooking up the panels to a capacitor and measuring the voltage at various points in time to see how much energy has been collected. Is it that simple or is there more to it?
Also- I connected the capacitor to the solar panel and it charged up to 3V (the output of the panel). When I covered the panel, the capacitor voltage dropped along with the output of the panel. Why is this? How could I keep the voltage previoulsy stored in the capacitor stable if the input voltage drops? Is there any way for the capacitor (which is a 35V capacitor) to "suck up" the voltage and ever reach 35V?