How Do You Make A Solar Cell From Scratch?
Ever wish you could build your own solar power collectors? While these solar cells homemade from scratch may not do much to power lightbulbs or appliances, they will demonstrate the principle of semiconductivity that makes solar cells possible. This experiment will enthrall kids and adults alike and can be easily carried out in one afternoon with nothing more than household materials and a couple of sheets of copper flashing from the home improvement store. Place one piece of copper flashing on your electric burner and turn the burner on high. Wait until the burner gets red hot, then cook the copper for half an hour. It should turn completely black. Turn the burner off and leave the copper in place to cool off. Most of the black coating, which is cupric oxide, will pop off on its own. Gently remove more of it by scrubbing the copper between your hands under running water. Don’t worry about getting every little bit of black off; it’s more important to preserve the red layer of cuprous o
