How to Build Solar Electricity

Solar cells convert light into electricity.

Due to the impact that the use of fossil fuels has on the environment and the rising cost of energy, there has been a renewed interest in the use of alternative energy sources, such as solar power. For centuries, humans have tried to harvest the power of the sun. One way this is done is by converting sunlight into electricity with solar cells. You can build your own solar cells at home with a few materials that are easy to obtain.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of copper flashing
• Sheet metal shears
• Sandpaper or steel wool
• Electric stove or hot plate
• 2-liter soda bottle
• 2 alligator clip leads
• Microammeter
• Table salt
• Water

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of copper sheeting to fit on the hot plate or electric stove burner that you will be using.

2. Wash the copper in soap and water to remove dirt, grease and oil. Dry it and remove any corrosion from the copper by lightly sanding it with sandpaper.

3. Place the copper sheet on top of the burner. Turn the burner on to its highest setting. Let the copper cook for half an hour. This will leave the copper with a thick, black coat of cupric oxide.

4. Turn the burner off and allow the copper sheet to cool down to room temperature. Gently wash the copper in water again to remove the cupric oxide coat. Handle the copper gently so that you do not damage the surface.

5. Cut another piece of copper sheeting that is the same size as the first sheet.

6. Cut off the top third of the soda bottle.

7. Bend the two sheets of copper so they will curve along the inside of the soda bottle. Attach the sheets to opposite sides of the soda bottle with alligator clip leads, making sure that the two sheets do not touch each other.

8. Connect the leads from the alligator clips to the microammeter, with the lead attached to the untreated copper sheet going to the positive terminal and the lead attached to the cupric-oxide sheet going to the negative terminal. The microammeter is a device which can measure small amounts of electricity.

9. Stir 2 tbsp. of salt into hot tap water, mixing until the salt is completely dissolved. Being careful not to get the alligator clips wet, pour the salt-solution into the soda bottle until it is about an inch beneath the alligator clips. Your solar cell is now complete.

10. Place the assembled solar cell in a sunny location and look at the microammeter to see how much electricity is being generated.

References

• The Solar Guide: Solar4Scholars: Make Your Own Solar Cell
• The Solar Plan: Make a Solar Cell in Your Kitchen