How to Build a Solar Electric Collector
Solar energy collectors need not involve silicon cells or complicated manufacturing techniques. The photovoltaic effect, where certain materials generate an electric current when they come into contact with sunlight, can be achieved with red copper oxide, which can be made in any garage, copper sheeting and a few simple tools.
Things You'll Need
- Mason jar (or similar jar with a wide mouth) Tape measure Corrosion-free copper sheet Metal-cutting sheers Blowtorch Insulated tongs Plastic scraper Alligator clips with electrical wiring Salt Pitcher Spoon Wire nuts
Instructions
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1
Examine your copper sheeting for corrosion. Even the tiniest bit of telltale green corrosion will change the chemistry of the collector, so if there is any it must be completely cleaned off.
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2
Take measurements of your jar with the tape measure. The length of your copper sheets will be determined by how tall the jar is, but remember to take 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch off for the jar bottom. The width of your copper sheets will be the circumference of the jar, minus at least 1 inch and then divided by 2. So, if the circumference is 12 inches, the sheets should be no more than 5 1/2. inches wide. This will keep the two sheets you will make in Step 3 from touching in the jar and creating a short circuit.
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3
Cut two sheets using the sheers, sized according to the measurements from Step 2.
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4
Hold one sheet with the tongs, and heat one side with the blowtorch until it is red hot. Keep it hot until a more-or-less even layer of black forms on the opposite side of the sheet. This will take several minutes for a sheet sized to fit inside a normal 16 oz. mason jar. A bigger sheet will need to be heated in sections.
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5
Scrape away the black oxide from the surface of the copper sheet. This will reveal the useful red oxide under it. Use a plastic scraper; be gentle. Take your time so you don't scrape away the red oxide too.
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6
Put both sheets into the mason jar. Be sure they are not in contact. Fasten them to the mouth of the jar with the alligator clips.
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7
Put enough warm water in the pitcher to fill the mason jar between two-thirds and three-fourths. For a 16-oz. mason jar, this would be 8 or 9 oz. Add salt and start stirring to create saturated salt water. For 16 oz. of water use about 1 tbsp.
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8
Pour the saltwater into the mason jar.
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9
Connect the wires to an electrical device. The output of a 16 oz. mason jar collector is appropriate to a small 5- or 10-watt light fixture. Join the wires from the jar to the fixture with wire nuts. Splicing and electrical tape can be used as a substitute.
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10
Take the collector out and place it in the sunlight. The photovoltaic effect will kick in after a couple of seconds.
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References
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
