solar cell reverse current

[toejam]

simple question:
When no light is activating a solar cell, it has reverse current flow. Does that current get converted to light, heat, orsomething else?

[jwax]

How are you measuring this "dark current", and what kind of solar cell is it?
John

[dyarker]

heat.

[zotdoc]

Forgive me for my usual flare for the obvious. When no light is activating a solar cell, nothing happens unless it is hooked to a battery. With a source of power like the battery, there is a reverse current when it is dark, the energy being released as heat. Usually a diode is placed in the circuit to prevent the reverse flow at night.

[dacflyer]

<p>if outside for long periods of time...don't forget your moon-tan lotion .

[jwax]

Well, it proves what I believed all along, solar cells are AC generators! Just a rather low frequency is all!