Solar Cell DIY
The fundamental principle behind photovoltaic (PV) cells, is that they absorb visible light and convert it to the electrical energy. This conversion happens when enough of light, the particles of light called photons, cause the movement or current of electrons in the photovoltaic material. The flow of electrons excited by the light particles, photons, is the electrical energy.
The absolute best part about this is the abundance of solar energy which can be harnessed. At any given moment Earth receives about a gazillion units of solar energy, the exact number doesn’t matter here, estimations can be found all over the web; what matters is that there is an enormous amount of solar light and that it is not going to end any time soon. So compared to our lives you could say we have an endless supply of energy.
Here are some of the best reasons to consider getting into solar energy production:
- Solar energy is essentially free; after the initial investment is recovered
- Connection to the power grid is not required and can bring money
- The sun is virtually a bottomless well of energy
- The use of solar energy helps reduce green house gas emissions
- Solar energy usage rises by leaps and bounds every year
- Solar cells have no moving parts, so life expectancy is very long
- There no emissions and no waste
- Solar cell systems operate without noise
- Solar cell systems help reduce the dependency on oil
With this information we only need to figure out one more thing: how do we embark on a solar cell diy project? What are the most common ways to create a solar cell? What are the most appropriate materials and where to get them? And how to put everything together?
This is where I come in. Over the course of the existence of this blog I will be posting a series of articles on how to create the most basic component of your solar panel setup – solar cells.
Would you believe me if I told that it is possible to use the sugar powder used in donuts and tea to create what you might call a basic solar cell?! When I read about it I couldn’t believe it either. It turns out that the sugar powder that is used to sweeten donuts contains titanium dioxide (TiO2 or E171), and can be used to make solar cells!
The tea is the secret ingredient that will make the solar cell absorb the visible light. Stay tuned to find out more.
