If you’re making a solar-powered circuit, it is important to include a diode in series with the solar cell. Without one, your battery or capacitor storing the gathered energy will be discharged through the cell.
The solar cell behaves a lot like a series of diodes. Current will flow back through it if enough voltage is applied.
Adding a diode in series with the solar cell blocks the reverse current flow. It’s not a perfect solution — a diode will waste a bit of energy and reduce the maximum voltage output, but it is the easiest fix.
A regular silicon diode will work, but a Schottky diode is preferred because of its lower forward voltage.
Whatever diode you pick, make sure it can block the expected voltage and that its reverse leakage current is as low as possible.
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