Do It Yourself Solar Power

Each day, from sunrise to sunset, the sun produces more energy than needed to supply the entire United States with power for over an entire year. But we do not harness that power because we rely too heavily on fossil fuels.

Over the span of a single minute, the earth receives more solar energy than the entire world uses in fossil fuels every single year. Currently, the big hold back in solar power is that the equipment costs are greater than those of fossil fuels.

Because of this, I have written this article on do it yourself solar power so that you too can start reaping the benefits and rewards of solar technology without the need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to set up your own solar power system.

Click Here for the Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Solar Power

Do It Yourself Solar Power

We are going to focus on making a simple solar cell. However, there are many different types of solar panels that you can easily make in the comfort of your own garage or workshop.

With this do it yourself solar power project, you need to set aside a clean and clear space for working and to ensure that you purchase all of the necessary materials before getting started.

You will need some simple tools and items including:

• a pair of safety glasses
• a pair of hand shears
• a copper sheet
• a pair of alligator clips
• a 2-liter, or bigger, plastic water container
• salt
• water

Do it yourself solar power directions…

1. First, take the copper sheet and cut it into two equal squares using the pair of hand shears. Note: These sheets need to be of size such that they are able to fit onto an electric stovetop burner.
2. Put one of the copper sheets onto the stovetop burner and heat it until completely black.
3. Allow the hot copper sheet to cool to room temperature.
4. Once cooled, remove the loose black flakes (cupric oxide) from the copper sheet.
5. Cut the top off of the plastic container.
6. Bend both copper sheets to fit them inside the outer rim of the plastic container without touching each other.
7. Attach both copper sheets to the inside of the plastic container using one alligator clip per sheet.
8. Dissolve a few tablespoons of salt into hot water.
9. Be careful and pour this salt water solution into the container making sure to reach the plates and leaving a minimum of one inch of the plate above the water line.
10. Put your solar power generator into direct sunlight.
11. Attach the other ends of your alligator clips to an amp and volt meter to measure the power that is being produced.

This do it yourself solar power experiment that is a great place to start. There are other simple and easy solar power projects that you can do such as a solar power collector. This technology is more directly geared towards solar water heating for your home.

Do it Yourself Solar Collector

If you also want to know how to make solar collectors, then here is a quick look. You first need to make the absorber by cutting a large square or rectangle out of a copper or aluminum plate. Then make the tube that the water will run through. Cover the solar power collector with a proper plate design made out of glass or plastic to protect it from the weather.

I hope you have enjoyed this do it yourself solar power article and are ready to get started with your own solar power project.

Want to Help the Environment and Save Money? If your answer to the above question is yes, then I strongly recommend that you check out The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Solar Power. This complete step-by-step setup fully illustrated manual + easy to follow video instructions will show you how to create solar & wind energy to help you reduce your power bill and fight global warming. Click here to check it out now!