How to Make Homemade Solar Cells

While it's simple to purchase a solar cell at your local home improvement or electronics store, it's a whole lot more interesting to make your own. This version of a solar cell may not be quite as efficient as one made from silicon, but it will still demonstrate how the sun's energy is converted to electricity through a solar cell. All you need is a few supplies and a little chemical know-how.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 square foot copper flashing
• Micro-ammeter
• Two alligator clips
• Tin snips
• Sandpaper
• Empty 2-liter clear bottle
• Water
• Salt
• Electric stovetop

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of copper to the size of your stovetop burner.

2. Clean the first piece of copper thoroughly to rid it of any grease or dirt. Sand it to remove all corrosion.

3. Turn the heat all the way up on your stovetop. Place the first cut copper piece directly on the burner. The copper will begin to oxidate into a number of colors, including purple, orange and red. After a bit, the coloring of the copper will change to black, and a coating of cupric oxide will remain. Cook for 30 minutes.

4. Shut off the stovetop burner off. Let the copper cool while still resting on the burner.

5. Allow the cupric oxide to pop off away from the copper and cool. This process may take 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Wash the copper sheet in cold water.

7. Cut off the top of the 2-liter plastic bottle.

8. Put the two pieces of copper together and bend them slightly to fit into the cut plastic bottle.

9. Connect the alligator clip leads to each piece of copper (one to each). Then, attach the clip from the unheated plate to the meter's positive terminal. The clip leading from the oxidated sheet should be attached to the negative side.

10. Pour 2 tbsp. salt into water, stir until dissolved. Carefully pour the water into the bottle, ensuring the clips remain dry. Leave 1 inch of the solar cell sticking out of the water.

11. Test it by watching the output according to the meter's reading. The more light applied to the solar cell, the more the meter should read.

Resources

• Here's another way to make a solar cell at home.