Instructions on How to Make Your Own Solar Panel

Build a simple solar panel to power small appliances.

Solar panels absorb solar energy and convert it to electricity or heat. Normally, this happens through the use of thin, highly-refined silicone and glass plates. However, these commercial panels would be extremely expensive and difficult to make at home. Instead, you can demonstrate how solar panels work with a small, simple solar panel. A little copper panel can power a side lamp or a small cadre of appliances on a sunny day.

Things You'll Need

• Copper flashing
• Measuring tape
• Tin snips
• Hot plate
• Silicone caulk
• 2 clear plastic squares, 7-inch
• Alligator clip wires
• Water
• Salt
• Electrical tape
• Power strip

Instructions

1. Cut a 6-inch square piece of copper flashing, using tin snips as you would scissors on paper. Lay the square on a hot plate burner and turn the burner up to its highest setting. Let the copper bake for about 30 minutes after it swirls with color and turns black.

2. Turn the hot plate off and let the copper cool for about 30 minutes, leaving it on the burner. The black layer will flake and pop off, revealing the oxidized copper underneath. Don't try to scrub away residual black coating. You'll damage the cuprous oxide needed for your panel.

3. Cut a second, shiny square of copper flashing. Squeeze a bead of silicone caulk around all four sides of the square, about 1/2 inch from the edges. Press it down against the center of one of your plastic panels. Repeat with the other plastic square and the baked copper. Make sure the edges of each copper square are free of silicone.

4. Run a bead of silicone around the right, left and bottom sides of your shiny copper. Press the baked copper down into it. Examine the edges of your copper squares to make sure the three sides are completely sealed.

5. Mix 1/4 cup of salt with 2 cups of warm water. Pour the water into the space between your baked and shiny copper panels. Set the panel against a sunny window with the baked copper facing out. Clip an alligator clip wire to each of the copper panels at the top.

6. Clip the other end of each wire to the tines of a lamp plug or power strip with multiple sockets. Wrap the connection in electrical tape. The lamp should light when you turn it on, and you should be able to power at least two small appliances from the power strip.

References

• The Solar Plan: Your Own Solar Panel Collector
• Sci Toys: Chapter 3 - Electrochemistry
• The Solar Guide: Make a Solar Cell