Did you know you can easily make solar panels with household items?
In fact, you’ll be able to find plenty of old items like CDs and soda cans that can be at the heart of your next science project.
And don’t worry, you don’t need to be an electrical engineer to make your homemade solar panel!
Within a few minutes, you could be creating your own free electricity from things you thought were useless junk.
So let’s get going before the sun disappears. Together we’ll go through step by step how to make 4 different solar panels from:
- CD
- Foil
- Soda Cans
- Blades
How to Make a Solar Panel with a CD
To make a solar panel from a CD you’ll need a few small items and tools including:
- CD
- Copper wire
- Zenner diodes
- Insulated wire
- Superglue
- Soldering iron
- Voltmeter
You should be able to get these bits from your local hardware store or from Amazon. If you’re struggling to find a CD try a secondhand store, there’s no point in buying brand new ones!
Step 1 – Attach Copper Wire to CD
Make sure your CD is nice and clean so there will be no dirt or dust blocking sunlight once you finished.
Using Superglue, attach your copper wire to the CD. Do this by placing one end at the center and running the wire towards the outer edge. Dab a spot of every so often to keep the wire secure. Then create a u-turn in the wire and run it back towards the center.
The aim is to zig-zag the copper wire all the way around the CD so it looks like flower petals. At every other inner bend, cut a small gap in the wire where we will at diodes later.
Leave this for the glue to dry.
Step 2 – Attach Zenner Diodes
Next, we need to attach Zenner diodes to the gaps you left in the copper wire. This should be 3 or 4 small gaps towards the center of the CD. You need to place diodes in these gaps. Leave one gap in the copper wire without a diode for later.
Glue the diode to the CD to keep them secure. Then solder the copper wire to each end of the diodes. If you don’t have a soldering iron you can use tin foil to make this connection.
Leave the Superglue to dry.
Step 3 – Connect Insulated Wires
Now we just need to finish our circuit. Get two lengths of insulated wire stripped at each end. Then attach them using a soldering iron to the final gap in the copper wire.
And voila, your solar panel is complete. Now all you need to do is test it!
Step 4 – Test with Voltmeter
To prove your homemade solar panel works, you can test it with a Voltmeter.
All you need to do is place your CD solar panel in direct sunlight. Then touch or connect the stripped ends of your insulated wire to the voltmeter’s positive and negative cables. You should instantly get a reading to show there is electricity flowing in your circuit.
If nothing happens on the voltmeter, then check your circuit. Make sure every connection between wires and diodes is complete!
Here’s a video walkthrough:
How to Make Solar Panel with Aluminum Foil
One of the easiest ways to make a solar panel at home is to use aluminum foil. To make this homemade solar panel you will need:
- Aluminum foil
- Cardboard
- Insulated wire
- Scissors
- Glue
Step 1 – Cut and Mark Your Cardboard
Cut a rectangle piece of cardboard. You could use any packaging for this such as a cereal box or shoebox.
Next, draw a square box at each side of the cardboard leaving a gap in the middle. Mark one box with a + (positive side) and the other with a – (negative side)
Step 2 – Cut and Stick Aluminum Foil
Now cut two squares of tin foil the same size as your marked squares on the tin foil. Then glue a piece of foil into each square. Don’t put glue all the way to the edge as you’ll need to attach a wire next.
Step 3 – Connect Your Insulated Wires
You will now need two lengths of insulated wire stripped at each end. Then connect one wire to the – (negative) side of foil and the other wire to the + (positive) side of foil.
You can do this by simply sliding the exposed with under the tin foil and taping it down. Just make sure there is a connection between the foil and the metal end of the wire.
Step 4 – Test Your Aluminum Foil Solar Panel
Your solar panel is all ready to be tested out now. You can place it in the sun connect the positive and negative wires to a voltmeter. You should get an instant reading showing the electricity is flowing.
It is even possible to run a small electric motor like this guy:
How to Make a Solar Panel with Blades/Razors
Be very careful if you try this method and it is not one for children. The blades will be sharp so don’t cut yourself, you should wear protective gloves when handling the blades.
Making a solar panel from blades is very simple to do and requires a handful of components:
- Blades
- Cardboard
- Superglue
- Aluminum foil
- Insulated wires
Step 1 – Prepare Cardboard and Foil
This will act as the base of your solar panel to which you will attach your blades.
Cut a rectangle piece of cardboard from a cereal box, shoebox, or similar.
Then cut two thin pieces of foil the same length as the cardboard. Next, glue the foil strips to each edge of the cardboard. Mark one side with a + (positive) and the other with a – (negative)
Step 2 – Attach the Blades
Now it’s time to attach your metal blades to create your solar cells.
Glue the blades to the cardboard in two columns leaving making sure there is no contact between each blade. One end of each blade should be in contact with the aluminum strip. Don’t put any glue between the blade and aluminum, only on the cardboard.
Step 3 – Connect the Wires
The final thing to do is connect your insulated wires. You will need two lengths of wire stripped at each end.
Connect one wire to the + (positive) side of foil and one wire to the – (negative) side of foil. You can do this using a soldering iron or electrical tape. Just make sure there is a sung connection between the foil and the metal end of the wire.
Now your solar panel is complete.
Step 4 – Test Your Blade Solar Panel
To check it works place the panel in direct sunlight. Then connect a voltmeter to the positive and negative wires hanging from your solar panel. You should get an immediate voltage reading to show electricity is flowing.
How to Make a Solar Panel from a Soda Can
Let’s take a look at making solar panels with a soda or beer can.
This is quick and simple to create using a few small components:
- Soda can
- Copper wire
- Insulated wire
- LED
- Soldering Iron
- Knife/scissors
Step 1 – Cut the Can
Start by cutting off the bottom of your soda can. This is going to act as the main part of your panel and will almost look like a satellite dish which is pretty awesome!
Step 2 – Create a Hole
Create a small hole the size of your LED in the center of your can base. Make sure it is just big enough to fit and hold your LED.
Once you have your hole, secure your LED in the hole. You can use a little glue if it’s not a snug fit.
Step 3 – Add Copper Wire
Zig-zag copper wire back and forth across the concave side of the soda case base. The bit that used to be the very bottom of your can. Use glue to secure the copper wire in place.
Step 4 – Solder Insulated Wire
To finish your solar panel you will need two lengths of insulated wire, stripped at both ends.
Solder one end of each wire to the conductors on the diode. Then solder these to the base of the can. You should have a connection between the insulated wire ends, diode and soda can.
Step 5 – Test Soda Can Solar Panel
You should now be able to test your complete soda can solar panel. Simply place it in the sun and attach a voltmeter to the insulated wires. You should get an instant voltage reading. You’ll be able to see the voltage drop if you cover over the solar panel to prove it’s the sun that’s giving the power.
Here’s a video to show you how easy it is to create:
Final Words on Making Solar Panels with Household Items
As you can see, it’s incredibly easy to make a solar panel with household items.
In fact, you could find most of the stuff in your kitchen. For example, you can get going with just aluminum foil, cardboard, and insulated wires!
I’ll admit, you’re not exactly going to be able to run your house with these solar panels.
But they’re cool science experiments to do with your kids. It’s a hands-on way to start learning about solar power and electric circuits.
On a sunny day, you’ll have enough power to run an electric motor or buzzer. You could even try adding in switches for an extra challenge.
Thanks for reading and happy solar panel making.
