Is it possible to make solar panels for generating electricity out of everyday materials?
Question:
Is it possible to make solar panels for generating electricity from everyday materials, perhaps something like a thermocouple with two different metals?
Answer:
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.
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).
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
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