Q&A for How to Make Solar Cells

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Which chemical reaction makes an electric induction from these?

Community Answer

The sun's photons hit the titanium oxide. It grabs an electron, but loses one at the same time. The traveling electron makes the electronic field.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 37
Question

Is it okay to use aluminum sheets as a substitute for glass?

Community Answer

The glass works because a side is coated by tin oxide, the rest of the glass doesn't really conduct or it would ground out. To get aluminum to work you would cover the sides and bottom with a non-conductive surface. Shrink wrap the bottom and sides or cover them in a layer of rubber or plastic.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 34
Question

How do I prepare solar LED lights?

Community Answer

Connect the solar plate to a number of resistors to check the current, then attach a flick button and an LED to it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 30
Question

What is a microscope slide cover?

Community Answer

The thin paper/cardboard on the side of the microscope slide, which keeps you from touching the slide directly, leaving oil, fingerprints, or any other contamination.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 26
Question

Can the solar cell produce light?

Community Answer

The solar cell is used to produce electricity from light. The solar cell itself can't produce light, but if connected to a lamp or other light source, can use the electricity to power the light.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 29
Question

Can this process be used to make larger solar cells from glass or sheets of metal?

Community Answer

You bet. You could even string these together as they are. The top overlap connects to the bottom overlay.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 21
Question

Why would microscope slides (or their coverslips) have a conductive surface on one side?

Community Answer

The conductive surface prevents the accumulation of electrostatic charges on the conductive side.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 20 Helpful 42
Question

What are the main metals used in solar panels?

Community Answer

Regular solar cells are made of semiconductors - so mostly silicone, Gallium arsenide, and on one or either side there are usually metal strips (busbar) to transport the electricity. That is a tiny amount of metal, which was often silver in the past, but is usually copper or aluminium nowadays. The cells will be put into a panel, which is made of an aluminum frame.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 16
Question

Can I make a solar cell using simple materials?

Community Answer

Yes, follow the instructions here for help.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 31
Question

Is this safe to do at home?

Community Answer

Assuming you follow the instructions properly, then yes, it is safe.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
Question

Does the size of the slide affect production?

Community Answer

Yes, it affects the production. If it is large, it will produce more voltage. With a very small one, you cannot generate much electricity, not even to light a 2V LED.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Can I make solar cells without chemicals?

Community Answer

No, you cannot. You need chemicals to make solar cells or no chemical reaction will take place.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

What is the purpose of dye in solar cells?

Community Answer

It serves as a kind of receiving antenna. The dye captures photons from the light and then transmits that tiny amount of energy to the semi-conductor. That is what all coloured dyes do, they interact with one (or more) photons and store that photon in the form of electrical energy for a while. Each dye is specialised in the capture of one kind of photon, either, red, or green, or yellow etc. Hence their colour. The combination of dye and titanium oxide, can "grab" energy from sunlight more efficiently than the oxide alone.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What do I mix titanium dioxide powder with and how much to make solar cells?

Community Answer

You can mix titanium dioxide and ethanol in the ratio of 3:1 to get the required solution.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How many amps does a solar cell produce?

Gavin Donnelly

Community Answer

This type of homemade solar cell generally produces about 0.4-0.6 volts, but it totally depends on the strength of the light source and the conductivity of the cell.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 0
Question

How can one coat the glass?

Gavin Donnelly

Community Answer

You can purchase pre-coated conductive glass slides, then you just have to dye one of them with berry juice and cover the other one in graphite.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

How much voltage will these solar cells produce?

Gavin Donnelly

Community Answer

These solar cells usually produce 0.4-0-6 volts of electricity. However, this depends a lot on the strength of the light source.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0