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My home made solar cell step by step

by alessiof76 on May 3, 2009

Table of Contents
My home made solar cell step by step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: My home made solar cell step by step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Materials you will need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: How to prepare copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Cooking the copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Prepare the cooked copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: Assemble the cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: Fill and seal the cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 7: Test the cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Intro: My home made solar cell step by step

Here is a low power low efficiency photovoltaic cell that you can make you own in the kitchen
with materials from the hardware store.
This cell is made from cuprous oxide instead of silicon and you can build a working solar cell in 2 hours
to build it i follow this instruction: http://scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/echem2.html
on

Step 1: Materials you will need

A sheet of copper flashing from the hardware store
A transparent CD case
Electric wire
Sodium bicarbonate or Table salt
An electric stove
hot glue
solder
Sheet metal shears for cutting the copper sheet
I suggest you visit http://scitoys.com there are many projects and interesting kit

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Step 2: How to prepare copper

The first step is to cut a piece of the copper sheeting that is about the size of the burner on the stove. Wash your hands so they don't have any grease or oil on them.
Then wash the copper sheet with soap or cleanser to get any oil or grease off of it. Use the sandpaper or wire brush to thoroughly clean the copper sheeting, so that any
sulphide or other light corrosion is removed.
Next, place the cleaned and dried copper sheet on the burner and turn the burner to its highest setting.

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Step 3: Cooking the copper

cook the copper for at least 30 min.
As the copper gets hotter, the colors are replaced with a black coating of cupric oxide. This is not the oxide we want, but it will flake off later, showing the reds, oranges,
pinks, and purples of the cuprous oxide layer underneath.
The last bits of color disappear as the burner starts to glow red.
When the burner is glowing red-hot, the sheet of copper will be coated with a black cupric oxide coat. Let it cook for a half an hour, so the black coating will be thick. This
is important, since a thick coating will flake off nicely, while a thin coat will stay stuck to the copper.
After the half hour of cooking, turn off the burner. Leave the hot copper on the burner to cool slowly. If you cool it too quickly, the black oxide will stay stuck to the copper.

Step 4: Prepare the cooked copper

When the copper has cooled to room temperature (this takes about 20 minutes), most of the black oxide will be gone. A light scrubbing with your hands under running
water will remove most of the small bits. Resist the temptation to remove all of the black spots by hard scrubbing or by flexing the soft copper. This might damage the
delicate red cuprous oxide layer we need to make to solar cell work.
When you are finished cleaning the copper should be as in the photo

Step 5: Assemble the cell

Cut another sheet of copper ,
Solder a wire to each copper plate
glue to insulate the soldering
glue the plate as in photo

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Step 6: Fill and seal the cell

seal the cell and fill it with a solution of baking soda (or cooking salt) and water

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Step 7: Test the cell

test the cell whit Sunlight
A note about power
my cell produces 58 microamps at 0.10 volts.
Don't expect to light light bulbs or charge batteries with this device. It can be used as a light detector or light meter, but it would take acres of them to power your house.

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Comments
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RabakomabaR says:

Feb 11, 2015. 2:52 PM REPLY

I think it's good idea. Inplix is nice. I can recommend it

jak_kr0 says:

Jan 4, 2015. 9:45 AM REPLY

i like this project and intend to experiment with it a good bit. there a few points that come to mind though.
first: id like to find a way to do it cheaper with as many free, recycled, easy to find, and scrap components. also suggestions for alternative materials would be
nice so that the primary things are not simply directed to acquire from the hardware store.
some of my ideas were to use old cat-3 phone line (which is often solid inside walls and braided when outside). i use solder from old pluming or circuit boards.
actually an old computer could give you the wiring and enough solder for a few of these.
1/2" copper pipe translates to about 1.6" when cut and flattened and has a thickness of 0.028mm to 0.049mm, depending on type, and can be cut to whatever
length.
1" copper pipe translates to about over 3" and has a thickness of about. 0.035mm to 0.065mm.
either of these aren't uncommon to find as scrap, and if bought would be much cheaper than flashing by the square inch as well as mass. is that acceptable or
does the copper need to be thin enough to grade by mil to work? (if so, id just suggest smashing it more!)
i would also add tomato based hot sauce packets to the list of materials with which to clean the copper. it works well and rinses away clean.
secondly, i would really like to investigate how to do a solar cell with common US coins, if possible.
pennies are currently made with a 97.5% zinc core and only with a 2.5% copper coating. could the zinc be used, or perhaps the copper coating? could time and
temperature be adjusted on the stove or would the process be completely different or even totally ineffective because of the different makeup.
im not very clear on the physics or chemistry involved. if anyone could offer any assistance with making this idea work, it would be appreciated greatly.
im adding other common (non-collector) coin compositions for quick reference.
nickles: since 1946 are a mixture of 75% copper and 25% nickel cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) alloy.
dimes (2.268g,) quarters (5.67g,) and half dollars (11.34g,): since 1965 are made of cupronikle alloy sandwiching a 99.5% copper core.
Sacagawea dollar (8.1g): is a 99.5% copper core surrounded by manganese bronze, an alloy which consists of about 77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese,
and 4% nickel.
And no, this use of American coinage is not illegal, as it is not willful counterfeit or fraudulence.

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:
i wants to self make a solar panel so can u help me ?

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Dec 27, 2014. 6:49 AM REPLY

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:49 AM REPLY

i wants to self make a solar panel so can u help me ?

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:48 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:48 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:48 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:48 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:36 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:36 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:35 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

kalpesh.dhalwalkar.7 says:

Dec 27, 2014. 6:35 AM REPLY

i want to make a solar panel because actually to buy it is costly as well after that also if i wants to replace my home electricity supply instead to solar energy can
i do this?
as well my question if i generate electricity anyhow by solar power or wind power how i can store that electricity as i can use only when its need is any idea?

shezada.rajputz says:

Aug 14, 2014. 9:21 AM REPLY

Is it nessary to use a electric burner

OrionB says:

Dec 7, 2014. 6:05 AM REPLY

Yes. A gas burner would not allow the oxygen to reach the copper. An oven would wake too freaking long and wouldnt work properly.

shantanav.saurav says:

Nov 9, 2014. 12:28 PM REPLY

Assuming I were to make more than one of these, how would I wire them up so that I could make a small solar panel producing about 25 watts?

OrionB says:

Dec 7, 2014. 6:04 AM REPLY

Assuming you have 750kg of copper, in parallel.

strmrnnr says:

Jul 14, 2009. 6:42 AM REPLY

Just wondering if you can use two large pieces the same size with a small gap in the case. Or, do both pieces have to see the sun for it to work. Side A
would be the shiny copper and side B would show the oxidized copper.

alessiof76 says:

Jul 15, 2009. 11:38 AM REPLY

I can not translate well to your question, if you write it with other words i'll reply, I apologize

shantanav.saurav says:

Nov 9, 2014. 12:35 PM REPLY

He is asking if the copper plates have to be the same size, and if both pieces of copper have to be facing the sun for the cell to work.
The answers to these are: No, no. The copper plates do not have to be that same size, nor do both of them have to face the sun. You will, however,
have to make sure that the sheet which you heated will have to face the sun.

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

strmrnnr says:

Jul 15, 2009. 7:41 PM REPLY

I added a drawing. Would this work better or do they have to be side by side?

gapl says:

Jul 5, 2010. 2:48 AM REPLY

hi it is nice idea can you please explain the idea to me. It would be very helpful

alessiof76 says:

Jul 16, 2009. 11:32 AM REPLY

now I understand what you wanted to say! thanks! Great idea! the path of ions is a little 'longer but the whole surface of the cell can collect
photons thanks for sharing your idea! it only remains to test it I apologize for my bad English Ciao Alessio

????? says:

Sep 19, 2014. 3:45 PM REPLY

think you ..you are good because explane this information

alessiof76 says:

Sep 19, 2014. 11:42 PM REPLY

thank you! you are very kind

erialc.ticklessss says:

Sep 16, 2014. 2:48 AM REPLY

what could be possible alternative of copper in doing this home made solar panel? are coal / charcoal possible? please do cater my query, badly need it for my
theses write-up..thanks

alessiof76 says:

Sep 19, 2014. 11:38 PM REPLY

alternative to chopper could be other semiconductor... no easy to find at home

????? says:

Sep 19, 2014. 3:45 PM REPLY

think you ..you are good because explane this information

Ivraine says:

Aug 26, 2010. 5:09 AM REPLY

Hey, I've seen this project before in a book in our school library. I believe the original project called for something along the lines of silver nitrate? It said it
could produce about 4x the amount of power as yours, but it needed carcinogenic chemicals, high-power acids, and lots of money. Great project though, I
liked that you didn't need to make a more complicated solution.

kimcyril.jaudian says:

Aug 26, 2014. 1:42 AM REPLY

Silver nitrate is an inorganic compound with chemical formulaAgNO

3. This compound is a versatile precursor to many other silvercompounds, such as those used in photography. It is far less sensitive to light than the halides.
It was once called lunar causticbecause silver was called luna by the ancient alchemists, who believed that silver was associated with the moon.

christacia says:
if i would be increasing the size of the copper sheet, would it also increase the voltage?

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Aug 6, 2014. 6:43 PM REPLY

jgreyes says:

Oct 27, 2012. 5:15 PM REPLY

Sir, it is possible to increase the output of your project up to 19-20v?

TeodorJ says:

Aug 4, 2014. 10:00 AM REPLY

Yes, by using different electrolyte and i believe using different metal sheets.
Made from different metals.

TeodorJ says:

Aug 4, 2014. 9:57 AM REPLY

Do I must to use copper? Aluminum is also Negative, and copper is pretty much positive.
Aluminum has -1,66 V and Copper has 0,34 V
Thus meaning we get 2V.
Please i need this fast.

papa mama says:

Jul 11, 2013. 12:53 AM REPLY

is make a water of common salt.? .............. please reply

ArsalHussain says:

Jun 19, 2014. 10:28 AM REPLY

Yes. NaCl Common Salt Works Like A Elctrolyte

ChedSawada says:

Sep 6, 2013. 10:59 PM REPLY

Sir, Ahm..............my teacher in chemistry said that when the copper plate is mixed with sodium bicarbonate.....it will have chemical reactions and the sun is
only the catalyst for this solar cell to produce electricity..........he also said that the longer it stays under the sun..........it will corrode and sooner it will turn in to
gas........i also noticed the green chemicals that are seen in the copper plate...thans a lot sir......i will be patienly waiting for your answer.please......God bless!

alessiof76 says:
in the following link you can find the explanation of the reaction

https://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&ved=0CHkQFjAK&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.surfacetreatments.it%2Fupload%2Fd
Z8cyNPDfhMjARnow&sig2=eTWHfm6RLt32LMgQKtFNpA&bvm=bv.51773540,d.bGE

https://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CGEQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ajol.info%2Findex.php%2Fbajopas%2Farticle%
KGMMtEw&bvm=bv.51773540,d.bGE
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092702489700233X

alessiof76 says:

Jul 11, 2013. 4:37 AM REPLY

??? simple conductive ad transparent solution... H2o + NaCl

papa mama says:

Jul 8, 2013. 10:06 AM REPLY

Mr.alessiof! please tell me that what salt water enter the CD case with copper sheets? please reaply, HURRY. If i wrote in bad word please, i tell you sorry.
PLEASE.................................Thanks

alessiof76 says:

Jul 8, 2013. 10:28 AM REPLY

saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or common salt (NaCl)

Obaid Mir says:

Mar 12, 2013. 2:50 AM REPLY

I am sure it will work but I need to know how much voltage it will generate because I am about to charge my laptop.

alessiof76 says:

Mar 12, 2013. 4:58 AM REPLY

about 0.05V-0,1V only some uA...... :(

Secret Solar says:

This is great I am gong to add some panels to my current solar engines setup.
Thanks

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Feb 2, 2013. 1:39 AM REPLY

sophiagabriella195 says:

Jan 4, 2013. 5:17 AM REPLY

what are the measurements for water and baking soda?

prajeshkv says:

Oct 27, 2012. 10:37 PM REPLY

i m really exicted to do this solar cell at home, but my requirment is for 12 v ,plz.
Mr.alessiof76, explain me in brief.,thank you.

Neolp says:

Oct 18, 2012. 7:19 AM REPLY

Great post, I read of a very similar method to make these cuprous oxide panels in solar energy projects for the evil genius by Gavin D.J. Harper. It claims to
not provide much power but an excellent project for the beginner.
I reccomend visiting the library or your local book store and checking out some of the alternative energy books for DIY's, there are tons of books and
magazines that should inspire people to make something awesome and of course post their project on instructables :).

Blaziner says:

Oct 10, 2012. 2:24 AM REPLY

sir it is necessary to fill it with salt solution....and if yes then it should be filled inside the case?..thank u

swarup9880 says:

Sep 23, 2012. 8:20 AM REPLY

hi i am swarup from india. I know that the solar cell are made by pn juntion. But you use copper. how is it wort. please reply.....

Carwen Betha says:

Sep 6, 2012. 5:13 AM REPLY

Copper Sheets aren't sold in my city, can brass sheets substitute for this??please reply.

alessiof76 says:
No... only copper

view all 204 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/My-home-made-solar-cell-1/

Sep 6, 2012. 11:14 AM REPLY