Blocking Diode:
If you are not using a charge controller you will need to use a blocking diode in your solar battery charging system to keep current from flowing in reverse direction back into your power source. For example, you could hook a solar panel straight up to a lead acid battery to charge it. But when the sun goes down, the solar panel would stop producing electricity and start behaving as if it were a regular old resistor. This means that the battery will start to give up its stored energy as current flows from the battery back into the solar panel. A diode solves this problem because it only allows current (Amps) to flow in one direction.
Only required when a charge controller is not used as a charge controllers purpose includes stopping reverse current.



