How to Construct Solar Panels

Cut two square pieces of copper flashing the same size as the hotplate. Thoroughly clean the flashing with soap and water. For stubborn bits that will not easily wash off, use the fine-grit sandpaper. Use the gloves while cleaning so that no oil is transferred to the copper once it is clean.

Dry the copper squares. Turn the hotplate burner on its highest setting and place one of the copper squares on the hotplate. This cooking of the copper causes oxidation, and the resultant black film is cupric oxide. It will take about thirty minutes to form a thick coating. Once there is a thick coat, turn the hotplate off and let the copper cool while on the hotplate.

Cut the top off of the 2 liter bottle where it starts to taper in. You want straight sides to make it easily accessible. Gently bend the two sheets of copper so that they will fit in the bottle. The cupric oxide coating should be facing out. Make sure the two sheets do not touch each other.

Attach the alligator clips to the copper flashing. One goes on the clean sheet, the other on the sheet with the oxide coating. Connect the lead from the clean sheet to the positive terminal of the ammeter. The other lead connects to the negative terminal.

Mix two tablespoons of salt into hot water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Pour this mixture into the bottle, being careful not to let the leads get wet. Fill until there is about an inch of the copper remaining above the water.

Place the bottle in direct sunlight. Read the ammeter gauge to determine the amount of power being generated.