| Energy efficiency is a big talking point these days. In | | | | water mixed together. Connect the negative terminal |
| particular, energy generation using renewable | | | | of the ammeter with the cuprous oxide sheet, and |
| resources such as wind,water, and sun are widely | | | | the positive with the non-oxidized sheet. Make sure |
| talked about. Of the three, solar power is of | | | | that two sheets of copper do not touch each other. |
| particular interest as it can be used to provide high | | | | Now place it in the sun to see the ammeter record |
| amounts of electricity in sunny areas. At the same | | | | the electricity being produced. |
| time, proper use of solar panels during high sun-shine | | | | However, this small solar cell is not good for |
| periods of the year can be used to charge batteries | | | | generating electricity for the your house - it simply |
| that can then be used during non-sunny parts of the | | | | doesn't produce enough of it! To develop a solar |
| year. | | | | panel from home that can be used to power your |
| To make a small solar panel, you can use factory | | | | house, you will need the following: |
| made solar chip, or you can make a little solar panel | | | | - Begin with an idea of what your needs are - are |
| using some equipment you can find at the local | | | | you building a small solar panel to recharge cell |
| hardware store. You can make a small solar panel by | | | | phones? Or are you looking for enough power to run |
| using: | | | | most of your appliances? |
| A small copper plate that will be oxidized by heating | | | | - Solar chips - You can either opt to make your own |
| on a burner. | | | | solar chips, or get some ready made ones that you |
| A small current reader (ammeter) with connecting | | | | simply arrange in a panel and then into an array. |
| wires. | | | | - Connecting wires and electric boards. The specifics |
| Sand paper or wire brush. | | | | of this will again depend on the nature and size of |
| Salt | | | | the panels you intend on making. If you haven't |
| The easiest way to build the solar panel is to heat | | | | worked with electric circuit boards and similar |
| the copper sheet on the electric stove till it develops | | | | equipment, then it is highly recommended that you |
| a black film on top. Then shake off the black film, | | | | use a good detailed guide. |
| leaving the copper sheet oxidized (the red layer on | | | | - A rechargeable battery that you can use to store |
| top is sign of oxidation). Then, place the oxidized | | | | electricity and use later to power appliances or |
| copper sheet (cuprous oxide), and a non-oxidized | | | | whatever you want. This can be the single most |
| sheet of copper in a transparent jar with salt and | | | | expensive part of the solar power generation. |