Is it possible to make solar panels for generating electricity out of everyday materials?

March 23rd, 2009

I have made a wind generator out of cheap, everyday materials.
Is it possible to make solar panels for generating electricity from everyday materials, perhaps something like a thermocouple with two different metals?

Not unless you can figure out a way to produce a semi-conductor at home. Basically a solar cell (photovoltaic cell) is a couple of layers of silicon P type and N type. Electrons become excited when light quanta penetrates into the P layer. The excited electrons move to the N type and (very oversimplified) create electricity.

I doubt you would have the facilities to create the materials at home.

powered by Yahoo Answers

Posted in Uncategorized
4 Responses

Leave a Reply

4 Responses to “Is it possible to make solar panels for generating electricity out of everyday materials?”

  1. Comment by Jonny B
    March 23rd, 2009

    Not unless you can figure out a way to produce a semi-conductor at home. Basically a solar cell (photovoltaic cell) is a couple of layers of silicon P type and N type. Electrons become excited when light quanta penetrates into the P layer. The excited electrons move to the N type and (very oversimplified) create electricity.

    I doubt you would have the facilities to create the materials at home.
    References :

  2. Comment by Chioma N
    March 23rd, 2009

    It is not very easy to make ones for generating electricity, though to heat water using solar power you can coil up a hose and throw some cling film over it, if left in the sun, this will heat the water inside the hose, possibly enough for a shower(dependoinig on how many coils there are).
    References :

  3. Comment by b_d_dom
    March 23rd, 2009

    you shouldn't invest to much into solar panels right now. there is a new product that has been developed and is coming out soon which is like a paint and you can paint your house or panels with it and it acts like a solar panel, only considerably more efficient!

    It sounds pretty cool but im not sure how long until it will be sold in stores. if you look around you can probably find plenty of articles about it on the internet
    References :

  4. Comment by gry planszowe sklep
    May 2nd, 2010

    I searched many websites and here i found what i was looking for, thanks for valuable post