| Solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device used for | | | | gone. To remove the small bits which are left, scrub |
| converting solar energy into electricity. A solar cell is a | | | | it with hands under the running water. Now you get |
| solid state semiconductor that produces DC electricity | | | | your required photosensitive layer. Then take the |
| when stimulated by photons. In one day, the sun | | | | other copper sheet and curve both the sheets so as |
| emits around 1,000 watts of energy per square | | | | to get adjusted in curve of the jars walls. Now |
| meter. We need to utilize this abundant energy in a | | | | fasten the alligator clip leads to both the copper |
| proper manner, so that we can make our power, our | | | | plates which are kept in the jar. Now join the lead |
| self and can get the alternative solution for energy | | | | from the clean copper plate to the positive terminal |
| that we get from the non-renewable fossil fuels. | | | | of the meter and the lead from the cuprous oxide |
| Materials required for making your own homemade | | | | plate to the negative terminal of the meter. Pour the |
| solar cell | | | | water mixed with salt in that jar. Your homemade |
| Materials required to make your own homemade | | | | solar cell is ready with its circuit; now you can test |
| solar cell are easily available at the hardware store or | | | | the cell in the presence of sunlight. |
| part of it in your kitchen. Material required includes | | | | Factors that affect the efficiency of a solar cell |
| Sheet of copper, Alligator clip, tap water, glass jar, | | | | Conversion efficiency of a solar cell = input energy |
| micro-ammeter, Sheet metal shears, an electric | | | | (radiant energy): output energy (electrical energy). |
| stove, table salt, multimeter and sand paper. | | | | The efficiency of a solar cell mainly depends on its |
| How to build homemade solar cell: | | | | spectral response which is nothing but the spectrum |
| By following a simple procedure you can make your | | | | of light that the cell can respond to. Wider the |
| own working solar cell: | | | | spectral response, more the power is generated. |
| Cut two pieces of copper sheets using Sheet metal | | | | How reflective is the surface of cell? |
| shears of the size of the burner of the stove. Then | | | | The loss of the photonic stimulation can be reduced |
| wash it and clean it using sandpaper and cleanser. | | | | by doing the Anti-reflective coatings on cells as well |
| After drying it, put one sheet out of two on to the | | | | as the use of thin electrodes on the surface of cell |
| burner and turn on the burner to its highest setting. | | | | faces. |
| Heat it for about half an hour. After half an hour it | | | | The amount of light which is blocked by the surface |
| will turn black. Then turn off the burner and leave it | | | | electrodes on the front of the cell also affects the |
| like that on the burner to cool it down. After about | | | | efficiency of cells. |
| 20-25 minutes, when the copper will cool to the room | | | | Operating temperature of the cell plays an important |
| temperature then most of the black oxide will be | | | | role, hotter a cell gets, the less current it produces. |