| The process of building a solar panel is much less | | | | an hour and turn off the stove. Let the copper cool |
| complicated than you imagine. If you are not sure | | | | slowly. Once it has cooled then you are ready to |
| how to build solar panel, this will help to give you a | | | | move to the next step. |
| clearer picture. There are many methods that you | | | | 3) Assembling it |
| can build a working solar panel. There is no need to | | | | Cut another piece of copper the same size as the |
| waste thousands of dollars to get a state of the art | | | | first one. Place them in a plastic container without |
| solar panel, when you can make one that cost much | | | | touching each other. Take a meter and two clips to |
| less. Simply by using the products available on the | | | | measure. Mix in a few tablespoons of salt into a |
| market and following a guide, you can build your own | | | | separate container and stir with water until dissolved. |
| solar panel from home. These are the things you | | | | Pour the solution into the container with the copper |
| would require if you are going to get one built: | | | | sheets. Do not get the wires wet. Be sure leave an |
| 1) Copper Sheets | | | | inch of copper above the water. |
| You need to cut a piece of copper sheet the same | | | | With all the assembly in the sunlight, your meter will |
| size as a burner on your stove. Be sure to wash | | | | start to show signs of energy being produced. You |
| wash the piece of copper with soap and water and | | | | should get about a 30 reading on your meter. In a |
| scrap it with a needle brush. This is the most | | | | small scale, this can power many small electrical |
| important step to get the grease and dirt from the | | | | devices. Without the power of a generator, you |
| copper off. | | | | have a new power source. Sometimes you can even |
| 2) Heating and Cooling the Copper | | | | get up to 50 micro amps which are about 0.25 volts. |
| Do so by placing it on the stove burner and heat it. | | | | Remember that a solar cell is a electric device that |
| At first you will see it turn orange and purple. After | | | | converts the sun rays into electricity. This is the basis |
| heating for a while, the copper will turn black. Keep | | | | of what you need to get started in building a larger |
| the copper on the eye of the burner and you will | | | | scale solar panel that can eventually replace your |
| start to see it turn red and then a darker black. This | | | | home's energy need. |
| is the color you want. Let the copper heat for a half | | | | |