| Solar panels are available in the market today, which | | | | traces of sulphide or other corrosion. |
| are made of high quality and processed silicon. | | | | Heat it on the burner and when it gets red-hot, the |
| However, plenty of people are now looking on how | | | | copper sheet will undergo color changes from pinking |
| to make solar panels for their own projects, | | | | red to brown, and finally becoming a thick layer of |
| residential or home use, and is ideally suited to a small | | | | black coat over it. |
| household. | | | | Then the stove and the copper sheet should be |
| Is it difficult to make solar panels? | | | | cooled off gradually. A layer of soft red cuprous |
| Solar panels can be easily made at home by making | | | | oxide will be left over the copper sheet. Resist the |
| use of diy (do it yourself) homemade solar panel | | | | temptation of removing all the black spots since this |
| guides, which are available on the internet today, or | | | | may damage the red cuprous oxide which is needed |
| making use of kits which are easily available at | | | | to make the solar cell work. |
| electrical stores nowadays. Those who have prior | | | | Then this sheet of copper should then be joined |
| experience in fixing up electrical equipments at home | | | | together with another sheet of copper of the same |
| will find this task of making their own solar power | | | | size. Use the alligator clips to join the two sheets |
| panel at home extremely easy, although if you have | | | | together, and place it into a wide-mouthed jar or |
| a good guide, then there should be no problem. | | | | bottle. Ensure that the two sheets to not get in |
| If you already have solar cells : | | | | touch with each other. The copper sheet with red |
| The first and foremost requirement is to make use | | | | cuprous oxide should be connected to the negative |
| of photovoltaic cells. These cells are extremely light in | | | | terminal, and the clean copper sheet can be joined to |
| weight, and are easy to transport from one place to | | | | the positive terminal. Saltwater should cover the |
| the other. | | | | bottom of the plates, but the clips of the two |
| You then need to choose on where you plan to | | | | sheets at the top should be left dry. |
| make the solar panels and install it. Ideally, the | | | | The above procedures addresses the question on |
| backyard, garden of the house, or a flat rooftop are | | | | how to make solar panels at home. This can be used |
| the correct places to install the solar panels, because | | | | to generate electricity from the heat of the sun. |
| they are the places that can receive the largest | | | | Now how does it do that? |
| amount of sunlight available. | | | | The red cuprous oxide is a material type called a |
| When you have chosen the right location, you can | | | | semiconductor. A semiconductor is an insulator, |
| then start with the process to make solar panels. | | | | where electrons are bound tightly to their atoms and |
| First, place the photovoltaic cells on the floor of the | | | | do not flow freely, and a conductor, where electricity |
| roof, garden, or the backyard, or whichever place | | | | can flow freely. |
| you have chosen in making your own solar panel. | | | | There is a gap in a semiconductor called a bandgap |
| These cells needs to be stacked one after the other | | | | between the electrons that are bound tightly to the |
| in a horizontal arrangement, and should be installed at | | | | atom and the electrons that are farther from the |
| such an angle from the sun that it will be able to | | | | atom which can conduct electricity and move freely. |
| capture the maximum amount of sunlight and store it | | | | An electron must gain enough energy to move |
| inside. | | | | farther away from the nucleus outside of the this |
| How do I get started in making a solar cell? | | | | gap, since they can not stay inside the bandgap. And |
| A solar cell makes up a solar power panel, so you | | | | an electron outside that gap cannot lose a bit of |
| need to know on how to make a solar cell. The | | | | energy and fall closer to the nucleus, and must lose |
| required components in making your own solar panel | | | | enough energy to fall past the gap into the area |
| are : | | | | where electrons are allowed. |
| - sheet of copper | | | | When sunlight hits the cuprous oxide, it also hits the |
| - two alligator clip leads | | | | electrons. Some of these electrons gain enough |
| - a micro-meter that is sensitive enough to read | | | | energy to jump past the bandgap and become free |
| currents between 10-15 micro-amperes | | | | to conduct electricity. These electrons then move |
| - an electric stove | | | | into the saltwater, then into the clean copper sheet, |
| - table salt, tap water, sand paper, and sheet metal | | | | into the wire, then through the meter, and then goes |
| shears | | | | back to the red cuprous oxide sheet, and electricity |
| Now you need to cut a piece of the copper sheet | | | | is now generated. Now that you know on how to |
| with the exact size that of your electric stove. | | | | make solar panels, you can then make your home |
| Thoroughly clean the copper sheet for any possible | | | | solar friendly, and cut your monthly electricity bills. |