I got a new solar panel - Battery charging

So recently, i bought a new solar panel. Its capacity is 5W and it is very handy for the summer months in india. It can easily charge a 6v 4.5AH SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) battery. My charging setup is as follows-

Solar panel -> 1n4007 diode -> Battery

The battery can store up to 27 WH and gets charged in one day easily.

I check on the setup regularly with a multimeter.

Lead acid batteries are every well suited to charging with a solar panel since they are not fussy about over charge/undercharge, they can store large amounts of current for a very less cost, and they can be drip charged. The battery in question costed me about $5, very cheap compared to a li-ion solution.
They charged battery is then used to charge various mobile phones as well as for lighting during power cuts. I plan to expand this system with a 12v 7.2 AH battery and a 20 Watt solar panel. Also, i want to upgrade the diode form an 1n4001 to a shottky diode because the voltage drop is much less then normal rectifiers!

6v 4.5AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery

5W Indian Manufactured Solar Panel

Solar Panel with battery for charging

Questions and Anwsers- Solar energy and the solution to global warming

What is photovoltaic?

Photovoltaic refers to property of certain semiconductors like silicon to convert solar radiation into direct current or DC electricity.  Many cells containing photovoltaic materials can be arranged in a such a way so as to charge a battery or run a television. Production of photovoltaic energy has been doubling every 2 years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology.

The need for ‘Green’ energy

Due to the greenhouse effect, the industrial revolution as well as rising carbon dioxide levels, the mean temperature of the earth is rising exponentially. This rise in temperature has led to the extinction of several species of animals and plants but even more worryingly, it has led to the melting of glaciers and ice reserves causing sea levels to rise. These changes in the climate and topography of earth will result in the frequency as well as magnitude of both man made as well as natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, cyclones etc.  Also fossil fuel reserves of the earth are estimated to finish in 20-30 years, enough time for a green revolution

Green energy and Photovoltaic

Photovoltaic energy is currently being touted by many experts as the ‘next big thing in green energy’ because-

• ·         It will create almost limitless energy forever without any drawbacks or any emissions
• ·         The amount of solar energy received by the sun is at average of 1Kw per m²
• ·         Since the sun wont die out any time soon, and the life time of a solar cell is atleast 30 to 35 years there is no maintainence cost as well
• ·         The price of solar panels has dropped by almost 50% in the last few years
• ·         Government incentives like the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in india also help boost the solar industry

Introduction

Hello!

This is my new blog about solar energy!
I will try to cover many topics in this blog including solar energy, solar panels, solar systems etc. I will also try to explain the science and the working behind each and every thing!
I have had a passion for all things green and especially solar solar energy and after lots of procrastination, i have finally created this blog!


So stick around and enjoy!
Sarang