How to Build a Solar Battery
Solar batteries require cuprous oxide acting as a semiconductor to provide energy to electrons. In direct sunlight these electrons use this energy to extend beyond a band gap becoming free electrical conductors. The electrons send this energy through saltwater to a non-oxidized copper plate through its wiring connecting to a multi-meter and returning to a cupric oxidize coated copper plate creating up to 12 microwatts of electricity.
- 2 alligator clip leads
- 1/2 square foot of copper flashing
- 1 small LCD multi-meter
- 1 electric hotplate
- 1-two-liter clear plastic bottle
- 2 tablespoons of salt
- 1 cup of hot tap water
- Wire brush attached to an electric drill
- Sheet metal shears
- Cut the two-liter clear plastic bottle in half. Discard the top portion.
- Cut two square portions of copper flashing to fit evenly on top of the hotplate burner.
- Cleanse the copper flashing portions with cleanser to remove debris.
- Scrub the copper flashing portions with the wire brush powered by the electric drill.
- Dry the copper flashing portions thoroughly.
- Lay one copper flashing portion onto the hotplate burner. Adjust the burner to its maximum heat setting.
- Allow the copper flashing portion to heat until it forms a cupric oxide coating and turns black in color.
- Allow the copper flashing portion to continue to cook for at least 30 minutes.
- Turn off the burner leaving the copper flashing portion on the burner allowing it to cool to room temperature. Large portions of the black cupric oxide layer flake off on their own during cool down.
- Remove any small flakes remaining on the copper flashing portion by gently flexing the flashing.
- Bend the copper flashing portion and place it into the clear plastic bottle. Position the cupric oxidized side outward with the entire copper flashing portion laying flat against the side of the clear plastic bottle.
- Repeat step 11 for the other copper flashing portion you cut in step 1. Position this portion opposite the cupric oxide coated copper flashing portion ensuring that the two portions do not touch. The copper flashing portions create two separate copper plates inside the clear plastic bottle.
- Place the clear plastic bottle in direct sunlight.
- Attach one end of an alligator clip lead to the non-oxidized copper plate. Attach one end of the second alligator clip lead to the cupric oxide coated copper plate.
- Attach the opposite end of the alligator clip lead connected to the non-oxidized copper plate to the multi-meter's positive terminal.
- Attach the opposite end of the alligator clip lead connected to the cupric oxide coated copper plate to the multi-meter's negative terminal.
- Pour two tablespoons of salt into one cup of hot tap water. Blend the mixture to dissolve the salt completely.
- Pour the mixture into the clear plastic bottle, ensuring that the water does not touch the leads. Ensure that the water level reaches only 1/2-inch of the bottom portion of the copper plates.
- Watch the gauge on the multi-meter as it begins to move.
- Ensure that the multi-meter reading shows at least 33 micro-amps in direct sunlight. This reading indicates that the solar battery works.