Solar cells convert the energy of the sun into electricity. By using items commonly found in the home or your local hardware store, you can make a solar panel to demonstrate this photoelectric effect. You can also save energy by converting some of your traditional electrical supply over to solar power
1. Use sheet metal shears to cut the copper flashing in a square or rectangle to fit the size of the electric burner. Be sure to use a piece of copper flashing that is thoroughly cleaned. You may use sandpaper to thoroughly remove any sign of corrosion before proceeding.
2. Place the copper flashing on the electric burner and turn the burner on. You will need to "cook" the flashing for as long as 30 minutes or more to develop a thick layer of black cupric oxide.
3. Allow the copper to cool slowly once the layer of cupric oxide has formed. It will begin to flake off and may do so with some force as the oxide and the copper cool at different rates.
4. Scrub the completely cooled copper under running water to remove any last remaining bits of oxide. Be gentle, as you do not want to remove any of the red cuprous oxide that has been created in heating the flashing.
5. Cut another piece of copper to the same size. Attach both panels using the alligator clips to the inside of the wide-mouth glass jar or plastic bottle with the top cut off. The panels should not touch and should bend to match the curves of the jar or bottle.
6. Connect the lead of the alligator clip which fastens the clean copper plate to the positive terminal of the meter. The negative terminal should then be connected to the cuprous oxide plate.
7. Make a solution of salt and water by dissolving the salt in hot tap water. You should make enough solution to barely cover the bottom of the plates, leaving the clips high and dry.
8. Place your solar panel in the sun to see the gauge jump to reflect the current your project has created.
The solar cell is made from these materials:
A sheet of copper flashing from the hardware store. This normally costs about $5.00 per square foot. We will need about half a square foot.
Two alligator clip leads.
A sensitive micro-ammeter that can read currents between 10 and 50 microamperes. Radio Shack sells small LCD multimeters that will do, but I used a small surplus meter with a needle.
An electric stove. My kitchen stove is gas, so I bought a small one-burner electric hotplate for about $25. The little 700 watt burners probably won't work -- mine is 1100 watts, so the burner gets red hot.
A large clear plastic bottle off of which you can cut the top. I used a 2 liter spring water bottle. A large mouth glass jar will also work.
Table salt. We will want a couple tablespoons of salt.
Tap water.
Sand paper or a wire brush on an electric drill.
Sheet metal shears for cutting the copper sheet.
A large clear plastic bottle off of which you can cut the top. I used a 2 liter spring water bottle. A large mouth glass jar will also work.
Table salt. We will want a couple tablespoons of salt.
Tap water.
Sand paper or a wire brush on an electric drill.
Sheet metal shears for cutting the copper sheet.
Well, that depends on how many watts you want to use.
"The average household in America consumes about 14,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy.
What the heck is a kilowatt hour?
Before we see how much electricity costs, we have to understand how it's measured. When you buy gas they charge you by the gallon. When you buy electricity they charge you by the kilowatt-hour (kWh). When you use a 1 kilowatt appliance for 1 hour, that's a kilowatt-hour. If you used it for two hours that would be 2 kWh.
Most things don't draw an even kilowatt, though. A typical central AC draws about 3.5 kilowatts, so in an hour it uses 3.5 kilowatt-"
So determine how much you'd like to use and go from there. Here is a good resource in my sources to get you started.
And one more thing: if you buy solar panels from overseas, you can outfit a house for about $6000. Take a look at many different wholesalers; I'd start with Alibaba first.
And keep in mind, if you live in the US, you can get rebates for using solar power. :) Check your local government for details.
Good luck!
There are several ways to make solar panels, you can buy kits in various stages depending on your budget and how much work you to put into it.
I don't know what type of solar panel you want to do. But there is a guide here. You can take a look at it.
Go to Youtube . Lots of vids in there to show you how . I buy my solar cells off Ebay . Easy and kind of fun if you like doing that sort of thing but does take a little skill
Have you already tried out Earth 4 Energy DIY process? Start at this site : http://www.createhomesolar.com . This may completely guide everyone!
yes see more Youtube video
I am in need.
