Home-brew solar cells

[jake_stone2000]

Does anybody have information on the decades old method of making solar cells using thin copper plates and heating it up then connecting to both surcaces of the plate.

somewhere I read an article about it but cannot seem to recall where so I am asking what anyone has experienced with this method.

 

[Russlk]

A copper oxide rectifier can be made but I am not aware of a way to make a solar cell.

 

[Someone Electro]

Iv also seen that someware but it produces a max of 100nA at a few mV so you cant power anything whith it.

 

[Roff]

Google "copper oxide photocell". The first hit is relevant.

 

[pike]

sounds more like a thermocouple to me...

 

[Roff]

sounds more like a thermocouple to me...

What :?: :?: :?:

 

[Dean Huster]

Lindsay Technical Publications ( http://www.lindsaybks.com/ ) used to sell a booklet on rolling your own (albiet inefficient) photovoltaic cells. Check out their web site. Their catalog is wonderful reading for experimenters and DIYers.

Dean

 

[pike]

Thermocouples generate electricity, but in the millivolts range. You would know probably use them to measure temperature. But yes they can generate electricity...very small amounts.

 

[tikbalang]

there is one here:

https://www.scitoys.com/

 

[Someone Electro]

Thats where i seen that homemade "solar cell"

 

[Moneer81]

If you have a bookstore like B&N near by take a look at "Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius". Page 87 has a project that walks you through building an inefficient thin-film cell.