How To Make Solar Panels

Have you ever tried this experiment of learning how to make solar panels? It can be a fun filled experience. Although there are solar panel kits available from many manufacturers that contain everything you need, you may want to try your hand at making a homemade solar cell. This is a project that you can do with your older child or teen to teach them about energy. First you will need some basic supplies including a sheet of copper flashing, shears for cutting the copper flashing, two alligator clips, a micro-ammeter, a clear plastic bottle or wide mouth jar, table salt, tap water and an electric drill with a sandpaper or brush attachment.

First you need to cut the copper sheeting to the size of your stove burner. Your hands will need to be thoroughly washed. Also wash the copper sheeting to remove any oil. The sandpaper or brush should be used to clean the sheeting and remove light corrosion such as sulfide. Place the clean, dry copper sheeting on your stove burner which should be turned on high. The copper will heat up and swirling colors will appear. This is called oxidation. Next the copper is coated with black cupric oxide. The copper should be cooked for thirty minutes after this point. This makes the cupric oxide coating thick.

After thirty minutes you can turn off the stove and leave the copper where it is to cool. Cooling should be slow. As the copper cools the cupric oxide shrinks and flakes off. You will notice black flakes flying off the copper. After the copper is room temperature scrub the remaining black bits gently under water. Do not pick at the spots or scrub too hard as this may damage the red oxide layer. Now you need to cut another piece of copper just like the first one. Bend both copper pieces so they can fit in your jar or bottle without touching. The alligator clips should be attached to both plates and connected to the positive terminal of your meter via the clean copper plate lead. The other lead should be connected to the negative terminal of your meter. And voila, you've got a solar cell! But what can you do if you want to make a whole panel?

There are lots of resources in books and online that can teach you how to make solar panels using a solar panel kit. There are many different manufacturers of solar panel kits that come with everything you need including PV or thin film panels, inverters, mounts and wires. Although you probably could make your own panel, it is easier to use a kit. And, you should ideally have a professional contractor install your kit because this will allow you to take advantage of the various rebates and incentives for solar power users.

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