The BPW34 is a super - useful, small - sized general - purpose PiN photodiode. You can use it as a mini solar cell to power your projects. It's sensitive to a wide range of light wavelengths from 430 to 1100nm, so it can generate power in many different lighting conditions. The rated open - circuit voltage is 350mV (900nm, 1mW/cm2 light source), and the short - circuit current is 47μA. We tried shining a 940nm infrared LED on it, and it produced about 0.5VDC open - circuit voltage. When you connect four of them in series, you can even light up an LED. In a brightly lit fluorescent room, it can also produce a small voltage of about 250mV.
Using the BPW34 miniature solar cell is easy. First, you can expose it to light to generate power for your project. It works well with a wide range of light sources, whether it's an infrared LED or the light in a fluorescent room. To get more power, you can connect multiple cells in series like we did to light up an LED. When using it, make sure it's in a well - lit area for better performance. As for maintenance, keep it clean and free from dust. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or harsh chemicals, as this could affect its performance. That's all you need to know to make the most of your BPW34 solar cell.
