How to Make a Scale Solar Panel

Solar panels harness the energy of the sun.

Due to environmental concerns and the rising cost of energy, developing alternative energy sources currently attracts strong interest. Using the wind or water to generate electricity is a fairly simple process and involves using the wind or water to turn a turbine attached to a generator. Generating electricity from solar panels is a little more complicated, however. Build a simple yet functional solar panel with materials found around the house or purchased at a local hardware store. Making a solar cell, a small-scale solar panel, is also a good science project.

Things You'll Need

• Copper flashing
• Tin snips
• Fine sandpaper or steel wool
• Electric stove or hot plate
• Large clear plastic bottle
• 2 alligator clip leads
• Microammeter
• Table salt
• Water

Instructions

1. Cut the copper flashing to fit the burner on the stove or hot plate.

2. Wash your hands and the flashing with a mild detergent to remove any grease, oil or dirt. Dry the copper off with a paper towel and clean any corrosive spots with sandpaper.

3. Place the copper on the burner and turn the burner on to its highest setting. Cook the copper for about a half hour. It will turn different colors as it heats up before eventually becoming coated with a thick black layer of cupric oxide.

4. Turn the burner off and allow the sheet to cool for about 20 minutes.

5. Take the copper off of the burner. Most of the cupric oxide will flake off on its own, but remove the rest of it by running it underwater and washing it gently with your hands. Take care not to damage the layer of red cuprous oxide underneath the flakes.

6. Cut another piece of copper flashing the same size as the first piece. Gently bend both pieces to the same shape as the soda bottle.

7. Attach the copper to the inside of the soda bottle with the alligator clip leads. Do not let the two copper pieces come into contact with each other.

8. Connect the lead attached to the clean piece of copper to the positive terminal of the microammeter, and the lead attached to the cuprous oxide plate to the negative terminal. The microammeter is a device that measures small amounts of electricity.

9. Mix 2 tbsp. of salt into hot tap water and stir the mixture until the salt dissolves.

10. Pour the solution into the plastic bottle until it reaches about an inch beneath the alligator clips. Do not get the alligator clips wet.

11. Put the device into the sun and read the meter to see how much electricity you are generating.

Tips & Warnings

• Connect multiple solar cells to make a small solar panel.

References

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