Solar power?

[TheAppleMac]

Ok, so I was reading an electronics magazine and one article was about using local pound stores as a source of photovoltaic cells. Everything is cheap (obviously) and there are a whole host of solar-powered stuff (radios..etc, depending on which store you visit).

Before I spend any money, I have already searched the forum, and found many who want to use large solar panels for houses with large lead-acid batteries.
I just want to explore these panels, and will only build a small, low power astable to flash an LED or something. So, I want to ask:
How do I store the charge without a massive battery?

I don't know anything about photovoltaic cells, but ideally, I would have a bunch of small panels which constantly charge a 'battery' (?) or equivalent, while the astable circuit is connected to the battery.

Am I being too optimistic about the world of solar panels? Like I said before, I am new to electronics and don't know anything about photovoltaic cells.

Thanks in advance

EDIT: After reading up some more, Li-pol and Li-ion batteries seem to be in good supply and are small and light. Has anyone had any experience with these types of batteries? IMO the simpler the better. Thanks

 

[ronv]

I think I would stick to NiCad batteries. They are cheap and will tolerate some overcharge. I could see 4 AA's running a Cmos 555 and an led or 2. Add solar panels until you see some charge current - maybe 0.1 amps or so.

 

[audioguru]

Cheap solar garden lights use a small solar cell to charge a single AAA or AA Ni-Cad cell during daylight and use the solar cell or a light-dependent-resistor to activate a voltage increaser circuit which lights an LED at night.

Ni-Cad cells are very cheap because they are toxic and almost obsolete.
Li-Po cells are fairly expensive. A Li-Po cell must never be discharged too low or charged too high.

 

[TheAppleMac]

Ok thanks everyone. I didn't even realise there was such a battery Guess i'll use the NiCad.

Thanks

 

[audioguru]

Some full-size electric cars and my electric model airplanes use Li-Po battery cells.