This type of circuit is normally used to charge a battery using the energy from solar

radiations. In this circuit, a 14 volt solar panel and a variable voltage regulator IC LM 317 is
used to generate about 12 V DC.
Diode D1 is used to maintain unidirectional power flow. Charging current passes through D1
to the voltage regulator IC LM 317. The controlling of IC enables regulation of output
voltage and current. IC LM317 is a voltage regulator IC with 3 pins-Vin, Vout and Adjust.
The output voltage can be varied between 1.25 -37V by controlling the adjust pin. Here in
this circuit a variable resistor RV1 is placed between the adjust pin and ground to provide
required output voltage.
Resistor R3 is for current limitation in the charging circuit and diode D2 prevents discharge of
current from the battery(if used or simply just to prevent reverse flow of current).
Transistor Q1 and capacitor is used for switching off charging when the battery is full. When
the battery gets charging current ,the transistor Q1 is normally in the off state. When the
terminal voltage of the battery rises above prescribed level(here 12.1volts), the capacitor
starts conducting and provides base current to Q1. It then turns on grounding the output of
LM317 thereby stopping the charging process. Resistor R2 provides safe path for capacitor
discharge.