Each of the 36 cells produces .5 volt and 3.5 amps or 1.75 watts in bright light. So let’s do a little math here:
At .5 volt X 36 cells connected in series you get 18 volts which is considered good for charging a 12 volt battery (or bank of batteries). In other words: .5v X 36 = 18v

At 18 volts X 3.5 amps you get 63 watts. In other words: 18v X 3.5amps = 63 watts

Connected in series? Think of a flashlight that uses three C batteries. Each battery goes in the same way meaning the positive post of one battery is in contact with the negative post of the next. With three 1.5 volt C batteries placed that way there is a total of 4.5 volts to the bulb. If you have a flashlight that uses only two batteries it is 3 volts. If you have one that uses 4 batteries it is 6 volts. It’s the same when putting solar cells together – positive to negative and by chaining all 36 cells positive to negative there will be 18 volts in bright light.

There is a bit more than just connecting a solar panel to a battery or bank of batteries. There’s a chance of over charging, using more electricity from the battery than the panel can provide or even discharging the battery when low light causes reverse flow of electricity from battery back into the solar panel. Reverse flow can be prevented with diodes which prevent current flow from battery to solar panel. It is not a method I would use with other than very low power solar panels.

Solar charge controllers are designed to prevent battery overcharge, battery discharge beyond a preset level (usually 10.5 to 11.5 volts) and reverse discharge. Charge controllers vary from less than 5 amps to high amperage. For the sake of the storage shed experiment I’m looking at a $23, (shipping included) 15 amp charge controller from an eBay seller.
Project progress so far is limited to solar cells ($70), personal knowledge and experience (hopefully to prove of value), charge controller @ $23 if that’s the one I buy, various and sundry materials to mount cells into a panel (jury is out on that expense so far), power inverter (oh yeah, haven’t mentioned that yet), 12V battery (may just be a battery borrowed from a camping trailer for now) and who knows how many bits and pieces from the neighborhood hardware store. Yep, you’re seeing it as I do: this ain’t exactly what ya call free electricity. Then again, everything has it’s price.
The plan was to post this last evening (Thursday) but experience dictates not to publish to the blog when staying awake is a major problem. This morning (Friday) rolls around and while catching up on emails the doorbell rings. Amazing: USPS with a package addressed to me. Sure enough, solar cells!

Part three coming soon.