Mini Solar Panel 1.32 Watt 5V/230mA

This mini solar panel 5V output and 230mA rated current make it a practical power source for small DIY electronics and school science projects. Encased in weather-resistant epoxy resin and sized at 100.8 x 82.5mm, it's built for low-power applications — charging a small battery, running a low-draw sensor, or demonstrating how solar power works in a classroom setting.

SPECIFICATION

• Dimension: 100.8 x 82.5 mm
• Rating: 5Vdc/230mA
• Operating TEMP: -20 ~ +60 C
• Weight: 30g
• Epoxy Resin encapsulation - with good weather resistance
• Light Intensity measurement: 38000 LUX

What This Small Solar Panel Can (and Can't) Power

As a small solar panel for DIY projects, this panel suits low-current applications rather than anything power-hungry. At 5V/230mA, it's a good match for:

• Trickle-charging a single-cell lithium battery (3.7V) through a charge-controller module such as the TP4056 USB Type-C Lithium Battery Charger Module — never connect a solar panel straight to a lithium battery without a charge controller, since that risks overcharging.
• Powering small, low-draw sensors or microcontroller projects directly in good sunlight.
• Classroom demonstrations of how light is converted into usable electrical current.

It is not sized for powering motors, lights, or anything beyond a small microcontroller's typical draw — for those, a larger-wattage panel is a better fit.

Why Epoxy Resin Encapsulation Matters

This epoxy solar panel uses a resin coating over the cells instead of leaving them exposed, which is what gives it its stated weather resistance. That coating is what allows a small panel like this to be used outdoors or in a semi-exposed DIY build without the cells themselves being damaged by moisture — a feature the budget, exposed-cell panels found in some kits don't have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can this solar panel power?

At 5V/230mA, it suits low-power applications: trickle-charging a small lithium battery through a charge controller, running a low-draw sensor, or classroom demonstrations of solar power.

Can it charge a lithium battery directly?

Not safely on its own — a solar panel should be connected to a battery through a charge-controller module (such as a TP4056-based board), which regulates the charging current and prevents overcharging.

How weather-resistant is it?

It uses an epoxy resin encapsulation over the solar cells, which is designed to improve resistance to weather exposure compared to an uncoated panel — though for permanent outdoor installation, a fully sealed/waterproof panel is generally a safer choice.

Can it be used outdoors?

The epoxy encapsulation supports outdoor or semi-exposed use, but as with most small DIY solar panels, it's best suited to supervised or temporary outdoor setups rather than permanent unattended installation.

Need a small, weather-resistant power source for a school STEM project or a low-power DIY build this term? This mini solar panel 5V/230mA pairs well with a lithium battery and charge controller for a simple solar-charging setup. Contact RAM Electronics to check availability.