Things You'll Need:
- Copper sheeting
- Sheet metal sheers
- Hot plate, stove, or blow torch
- Plastic scraper
- Silvering solution
- Small brush
- Soldering gun
- Electrical wire
- Pocket knife
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Step 1
Use the sheet metal sheers to cut a circular piece from the copper sheeting.
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Step 2
"Cook" the copper sheet until it is red hot. This can be done using a stove or blow torch, but if you are using a blow torch, you will need to stand the copper piece up so that both sides are in the air. The sheet needs to "cook "at red hot for at least three minutes. For a large sheet, divide the surface area into rough sections, and "cook" them one at a time. The sheet should form a layer of black oxide on the side that is not being "cooked."
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Step 3
Use a plastic scraper to gently remove the black oxide. Beneath it will be a layer of reddish pink oxide. You will want to keep the red oxide, so do not use a metal scraper or very much force. The entire side of the sheet needs to be coated in red oxide, so if it is not, repeat Step 2 or trim the sheet.
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Step 4
Use a brush to coat the red oxide side of the sheet in silvering solution. Allow this to dry. A proper coat will require at least a couple of hours.
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Step 5
Take a pocket knife, and trim the insulation off the end of an electrical wire. Then divide this into its positive and negative strands.
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Step 6
Use the soldering gun to permanently attach the black lead from the wire to the silvered, "cooked" side, and the red lead to the clean, copper side.
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Step 7
Place the finished sheet into a place where it will get good sunlight. It will being producing electricity within seconds of being exposed to direct sunlight.
