Make a Small Solar Panel
Not only is it quite possible to Make a Small Solar Panel, it can be a fun project too. There are lots of sites detailing exactly how to go about it, as well as many e-books and other electronic resources to call on. So, rather than adding yet another set of instructions to an already healthy range, this simple page is intended to give a good overview of the principles involved when you decide to Make A Small Solar Panel. That read, you can then further your efforts by following one of the links shown, or by reading up in one of the books shown opposite.
How Does it Work?
Simply put, a solar panel uses the photovoltaic process whereby light causes an electrical charge to flow in a given material. If you're going to Make a Small Solar Panel, then there are really two routes by which you're going to achieve your photovoltaic reaction. options open to you, unless you're an eccentric millionairre with access to a superconductor manufacturing facility, are as follows:
The half way house approach. Herein you Make a Small Solar Panel by purchasing the constituent parts from a suitable electrical supplier. This isn't the cop out it seems - you can buy pre manufactured photovoltaic cells and / or solar cells from specialist suppliers. The difference between the two is that the photovoltaic cell will convert light from more sources than the sun, the solar cell just being good with actual sunlight. You then assemble the remaining electronic parts required to produce your solar panel of choice. As mentioned above, there are various titles and eBooks available detailing how to go about it. One such example is the eBook "build Your Own Solar Panel" by Phillip Hurley.
While you're probably not going to power your house with the output of these efforts, the next is even less likely to be replacing your relationship with General Electric.
The whole-hog start-to-finish Make a Small SOlar Panel project. This is more the kind of approach you'd take if you were really just wanting to explore how it all works and to be able to say 'I made a solar panel' to your friends and colleagues. Here, the vital difference is that rather than buying in pre-made cells, you kick off by making your own photovoltaic medium.
Rather than going for the silicon-based solution, this home-grown approach relies on the semiconducting / superconducting, photovoltaic properties of Copper(I) Oxide / Cuprous Oxide. This is the red oxidised powder. The oxidisation process also produces a black powder oxide, Copper(II) Oxide but that's of no use to us. The very brief overview of why it does what it does is that Copper(I) Oxide has a very dense polariton level. Polaritons are the result of photons mixing with a conductive material at a given wavelength. The energy from this mixing is what gives you your electricity.
So, if you're going to Make a Small Solar Panel, the first step is to produce your Copper(I) Oxide. Simply put, copper is heated. Doing this at home (after taking all relevant safety precautions and reading up on exactly what you're doing), the copper need be nothing more exotic than roofing flashing, albeit very clean roofing flashing. It's heated for a long time in order to make it easier to remove the unwanted Copper(II) Oxide, though most should have flaked off during cooling.
Your solar cell will then consist of this oxidised panel in salty water together with a fresh, non-oxidised copper panel of the same size. The charge produced is tiny, but it's electricity and proof that you know how to Make a Small Solar Panel.
In addition to the resources shown on this page, there is a complete run down on this second approach to be found at
solar panels making the news
10 Mar 2010 at 4:05am
Bakersfield College To Install Solar FieldKIRO SeattleNow, KERO-TV reports the college is working to install a large solar panel field. "Solar panels are the wave of the future. We have a lot of sun in this ...Bakersfield College set to install solar panelsBakersfield CalifornianBC student arrested for gun on campus, threats to killKGET 17Police: Replica Gun Causes Scare At Bakersfield College,...
9 Mar 2010 at 11:34pm
MODOT installs solar panels to save some moneyKOAM-TVThe Missouri Department of Transportation has installed solar energy panels on the roof of its district office at 32nd and Duquesne in Joplin, Missouri. ...and more »
9 Mar 2010 at 2:11am
TreehuggerSolar Industry Learns Lessons in Spanish SunNew York TimesFor example, when the government changed course, Siliken Renewable Energy, originally a producer of solar panels, shut its factories for five months and cut ...Grey Skies Cloud Solar Industry's FutureWall Street Pit (blog)Once a solar boom town, a Spanish city goes bustMother Nature NetworkgroSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe to Speak at Tw...
9 Mar 2010 at 5:06pm
Brockton approves solar panel projectWalkertown Herald TimesMcPhee Brockton council has given initial approval for up to eight solar panels to be installed in East Ridge Business Park. Local realtor Paul Kueneman was ...Solar panels can result in cash flowWalkertown Herald Timesall 2 news articles »
9 Mar 2010 at 6:29pm
Solar Power for BusesReutersThe SunPods Sun Bus Power System "consists of four thin film solar panels that run the length of the bus and charge an on-board battery bank. ...Martifer Solar Installation Gives Big Blue Bus a Big Green AdvantagePRLog.Org (press release)all 3 news articles »
10 Mar 2010 at 5:15am
Grant will let new Carroll district middle school become solar-poweredFort Worth Star TelegramSOUTHLAKE -- A $2 million grant from the federal stimulus will cover most of the cost to install solar panels that will power the Carroll ...
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