How to Store Generated Solar Power

You can store generated solar power in rechargeable batteries.

Unlike batteries and other more traditional power supplies, solar panels and solar arrays are incapable of storing the electrical power they generate once the source of that power, namely the sun, is no longer available to them. That's why it's a good idea to increase your solar array's versatility by knowing how to store the valuable solar power it collects.

Luckily, this involves a simple construction that can be built and made operational within a half hour or so using very basic materials and tools.

Things You'll Need

• Wire strippers
• 2 rechargeable battery stations and batteries
• Electrical tape
• Reverse blocking diode
• Soldering iron
• 2 percent silver solder

Instructions

1. Strip at least 1/8th of an inch of insulation from the end of each wire from the battery stations and your solar panel. Tape the two battery stations together securely.

2. Twist together the metal ends of both positive wires from the battery stations, and do the same with the negative wires.

3. Twist the connected positive wires from the battery stations around the terminal on the ringed end of the blocking diode. Use a drop of solder to cement the connection.

4. Connect the negative battery station wires with the negative wire from your solar panel and solder the connection together. Solder the solar panel's positive wire to the unconnected end of the diode.

5. Insert the rechargeable batteries into their modified battery stations and place the solar panel in a source of bright, consistent sunlight to charge. Allow several hours for complete charging to take place.

References

• Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories: Simple Solar Circuits