If I connect a solar panel oppositely to a battery, what happens to their currents?

I know their open circuit voltage will subtract. But what about their closed circuit current? Will they subtract too?

3 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Diana says:

    (PV) solar panels have to be matched to the system, 12V 24V etc.
    also when it is dark some reverse current protection is needed, usually a diode will do
    a charge regulator is also needed to avoid overcharging the battery…

    Di

  2. billrussell42 says:

    The battery will discharge through the panel. Probably burning it out in the process.

    "closed circuit current" is meaningless in this situation.

    .

  3. Numbat says:

    If you want the battery to charge, the solar panel must be connected to the battery so the same polarity is connected together. Then, the panel voltage must be higher than the terminal voltage of the battery for charging to take place.

    If you connect the polarity around the other way, the battery will force current through the panel leading to it’s possible destruction.

    Reverse biasing of solar cells is an undesirable thing and can occur even in normally connected panels.

Leave a Reply