Solar Cell

In order to create a solar cell I searched across the internet for a simple solution so that I could create a proof of concept. Each tutorial required a sheet of copper in some form, so I eventually settled on a tutorial that seemed to be proven to work (https://sciencing.com/make-homemade-photovoltaic-solar-cell-7276078.html).

Materials:

To create this project I used a small sheet of copper, 2 copper wires with lengths of about a foot each with 1 inch of insulation stripped off the ends, alligator clips, a propane torch, and salt water. Lastly, I used a multimeter to test the voltage from my completed solar cell.

Gathering many of the materials was a simple process as they were readily available in the Fab Lab, except for the copper sheet. Originally I planned to use a tile that had a thin layer of copper on each face, with a form of fiber glass in the middle. However, once I attempted to heat this sheet, the fiber glass bubbled and the material gave off a pungent odor and became unstable. I realized that I needed to find a source of solid copper. I utilized a long solid copper rod. However, this was far too much copper, so Mr. Dubick assisted me by using the hack saw to cut off a smaller section of the copper. I then used a hammer to flatten out this copper into the sheet I would use for my project.

Procedure:

Once I had the necessary materials gathered. I followed the procedure I had found with the exception that my copper sheet was far smaller than the recommended amount. Therefore, in the first step I used the propane torch to blacken only 2 sections of the copper. The procedure called for the blackening of several sections of the copper sheet, but I simply did not have space for this. After heating the copper until it was red hot for 1 minute in 2 different sections the copper was blackened successfully. Next, I cut 2 sections of copper wire each about a foot long and stripped roughly 1 inch of insulation off the ends. I connected one of the wires to a unblacked section of the copper with an alligator clip.

I then poured NaCl into a cup of water until the salt no longer dissolved into the water, indicating a solution at maximum strength. I then placed drops of water onto the 2 blackened sections of the copper and placed the second copper wire onto this blackened section.

I then attatched the opposite ends of the wires to a multimeter and, with help from my classmates, shined a light onto the copper and measured the voltage produced by my solar cell. Roughly 0.2 volts were produced and my solar cell worked.

Video:

Conclusion:

My solar cell was a success as a proof of concept, yet would unable to truly power any device of significance due to its small size and inefficiencies. Other than simply increasing the size, in the future I would use a better conductor than copper. Copper worked for this proof of concept because it is a much more easily found material than silicon. However, silicon is much more efficient than copper in converting light into energy. Additionally, I would add 2 additional wires to the underside of my sheet of metal to ensure that both sides were able to capture sunlight, doubling my energy output.

In general this project was absolutely successful and resulted in the creation of a functioning solar cell.