If you want to know how to make a solar cell then you have come to right place. This is a fun little project to show you how solar power works using easy to follow instructions. I picked this project up from the Science Toys website and it is especially great for kids’ science projects.

How to Make a Solar Cell – Materials Needed

1 Sheet of Copper, 5.5 x 5 inches (can use copper flashing from your local hardware store)
2 Alligator clip leads (can be found at Radioshack)
1 Empty CD jewel case (top only)
1 Small tube of silicone caulk
1 Micro-amp meter (can be found at Radioshack)
Electric Stove
Table salt
Water

How to Make a Solar Cell – Making the Electrodes

Step 1: Cut the copper sheet into a square U shaped piece of 0.5 inches around with both sides measuring 5.5 inches and the bottom measuring 5 inches. This will leave you with a 5×4 inch rectangular sheet of copper.

Step 2: Place the 5×4 inch copper sheet on an electric stove burner and turn the burner to the highest setting. Let the copper cook for a half an hour until the copper is coated in a thick black coating. Turn the burner off and allow it to cool to room temperature which typically takes about 20 minutes.

Step 3: Once at room temperature, run the copper sheet under tap water and use your fingers to remove any remaining black specs.

How to Make a Solar Cell – Constructing the Cell

Step 4: Place a continuous bead of silicone caulk around the outside edge of the U shaped copper cutout and glue it to the inside of the CD jewel case. The bead needs to be continuous so that the water you will use later will not leak out.

Step 5: Place another large continuous bead of silicone caulk around the outside edge and on top of the U shaped copper cutout and glue the burned copper sheet to it longwise so the width of the sheet spans the width of the U shaped cutout. This layer of silicone should be large enough to insulate the two pieces of copper from each other. Press gently so that it creates a seal but does not create contact between the two pieces of copper.

Step 6: Attach each alligator clip to each of the pieces of copper towards the top of the cell.

Step 7: Run another bead of caulk along the top opening of the solar cell leaving only a small opening for you to add the water.

Step 7: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt into a cup of hot water and pour the salt water into the small opening, filling the solar cell. Note that the solar cell should be sealed with the silicone and not leak.

Step 8: Completely seal the solar cell with silicone caulk by covering the small opening.

How to Make a Solar Cell – Testing the Cell

Step 1: Hook the alligator clips to the micro-amp meter with the positive clip being attached to the u shaped copper and the negative being attached to the copper sheet.

Step 2: Take the cell outside and place in direct sunlight. As the cell conducts electricity you should see the needle of micro-amp meter jump to around 40 micro amps.

Step 3: Shade the solar cell and the micro-amp meter should drop down to close to 0 micro-amps.

Now that you know how to make a solar cell you can easily teach someone else how to do this easy and fun solar power project. This type of solar cell is designed to be more of a science project and will not generate enough power to be used for your own solar panels. But it is a great solar power project to get started with renewable energy.

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