Make Your Own Solar Panel

I'll Show You How To Make Your Own Solar Panel
written by: Angela1974


Today we need to adapt to solar energy as a major power source in our homes. The two reasons for doing this are to save money on bills and preservation of our environment. The biggest decision to make is whether you are going have the system installed professionally or simply make your own solar panel.

The task of making your own solar panel is not so daunting as one might expect. Making good use of solar power technology is relatively simple as you can obtain the whole kit and caboodle from the Internet. Although, you will need to know the basics of what you are doing, but they can be picked up quite easily whilst the project in under way by following the instructions that come with the kit.

What You Will Need

To put it quite simply, armed with some basic tools, drawings and the necessary components, this can be achieved by a complete novice. Here is a rundown of just some the basic things you will need to get you started:

• 2x crocodile clips
• abrasive paper sheets
• clean copper sheets
• good quality safety goggles
• metal snips for cutting
• a hotplate (1100 in wattage)
• an ammeter
• a wooden mounting board
• Plexiglas covering

Other items will also be required but all will be revealed within the diagrams and instructions.

How To Do It

Just to give you a heads up on how simple the assembly process of making your own solar panel:

1. Cut a single copper sheet to the required size
2. Sand it down thoroughly removing all impure properties
3. Place it over the burner until it produces a thick-layer of cupric oxide.
4. Then allow the oxide to cool
5. Scrape off the blackened flakes
6. Leaving the red oxide undisturbed on the copper
7. Cut a second piece copper the same size as before
8. Connect the two copper plates to the alligator clips.
9. Place each plate in a glass container making sure that they do not touch.
10. Attach the lead from the clean plate to the a positive terminal of the ammeter
11. Connect the negative of the ammeter terminal to the other (oxidized) plate
12. Cover the plates with a salt water solution keeping the alligator clips clear of the water.
13. Expose the panel to outside sun-light and watch the meter gauge rise

In a nutshell, that is the bare bones of how you make your own solar panel. The complete instructions on this process come with the kit and all care should be taken they are followed to the letter because, it is a truism that making your own solar panel requires more concentration than skill.

Good luck with your project...