this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2024
1105 points (99.7% liked)

Technology

60056 readers
3562 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] markpaskal@lemmy.ca 16 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I doubt they put out much power at all compared to modern panels. Solar back then was a pipe dream, we didn't have the battery technology to store the energy and the panels had a lower voltage and could supply less current.

I have a 100w foldable panel for camping that at >= 20% efficiency is probably double what the 90s panels could do.

[–] simplejack@lemmy.world 9 points 6 months ago (1 children)

In the 90s, rooftop solar was around 10-15% efficient. Now rooftop panels are closer to 20%.

[–] Wahots@pawb.social 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Some are 25% now, and don't even break the bank. You can get modules that store the power and feed it back into your house for use later. I kinda want to get some to offset heating and cooling costs.

https://us.ecoflow.com/products/175w-rigid-solar-panel?variant=41362064179273

[–] dan@upvote.au 2 points 6 months ago

That one doesn't seem like it's worth it at the regular price though, seeing as it's only 175W. You can get a 400W QCell Q.Peak panel for the same price or cheaper. I guess it's useful if your use case needs smaller panels.

[–] Bonesince1997@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

A major source of calculator power!