| Homemade solar panels are becoming a more | | | | may seem counterintuitive, but the layer you are |
| common sight on rooftops and in yards across the | | | | about to add is a cuprous oxide. The easiest way to |
| country. Partly, this is due to the increasing concern | | | | do this is to hold the copper over an electric stove |
| for our climate. | | | | until a black crust forms. |
| However, there is also a strong financial draw. It is | | | | Next, you should remove the black crust on the |
| common knowledge that solar power systems are | | | | oxidized copper by tapping it gently on your work |
| great ways of saving money and by making your | | | | bench and brushing away at it with your fingertips. |
| own small solar panels, you could be saving even | | | | Take another piece of copper plate that has not |
| more. | | | | been treated to a cuprous oxide and place it in a |
| The good news is that you can make your very own | | | | glass jar next to the oxidized plate. It is imperative |
| panel with objects that are readily available in your | | | | that the plates do not touch, so ensure that you |
| local hardware or DIY store. | | | | have a jar large enough to hold both pieces of |
| In order to demonstrate how easy it is to make a | | | | copper comfortably. |
| homemade panel, the instructions below will provide | | | | Then, fill the jar with water and add the salt. Ensure |
| step-by-step instructions on how to make a simple | | | | that the salt is mixed into the water and then take |
| small panel. | | | | your jar outside into the sun. You now have a |
| To make this solar panel you will need: | | | | miniature homemade panel. Next, it is time to test it. |
| - A small copper plate or copper sheeting that can be | | | | Take your ammeter and attach the positive lead to |
| cut to size | | | | the non-oxidized copper and the negative lead to the |
| - An ammeter (current reader) | | | | cuprous copper. The ammeter will display how much |
| - Sandpaper, emery cloth or a wire brush | | | | electricity your tiny panel is creating. You will |
| - A glass jar | | | | obviously notice the more sun the jar is exposed to |
| - Salt | | | | the greater amount of power that the solar panel |
| If you are using copper sheet, then you will need to | | | | creates. |
| cut it to size. Once you have a copper plate, wash | | | | This is an example of how simple it is to make a |
| your hands and the copper, to ensure that there is | | | | homemade solar panel. However, of course, your jam |
| no grease or debris on either. Then, take your | | | | jar solar system will not supply you with enough |
| sandpaper and brush away the oxidized coating. | | | | energy to supply your household needs. |
| Once the top layer of the copper has been | | | | Thankfully, creating homemade panels on a larger |
| removed, you will need to expose the plate to a | | | | scale is no more complicated than building small solar |
| source of heat to create another oxidized layer. This | | | | panels. |