Homemade Solar Cell

With alternative energy all the rage right now, many people are interested in solar Cells. Of course it’s possible to make your own, but is it worth it?

Just do a quick search online and you will find dozens of results on how to make solar cells at home – and these articles make it sound easy too. While it may be fun and not technically difficult, it takes time and is not a simple one-step process.

What’s the problem with homemade solar cells?

1. You will need to go to the hardware store to buy sheets of copper and wire along with an electric stove, separate from your kitchen stove.

2. You will need to heat up and then cool down the copper, which takes about an hour of work.

3. You would need thousands of solar cells to power a house – and without thousands of hours of free time this will prove to be a costly, lengthy project.

If you still want to use solar power, what can you do?

For one, you should look on eBay and buy “chipped” or “broken” solar cells there.

Of course this will cost money as well, but you will be saving in the long run – as it would likely take half a year of nearly full time work to go full solar DIY.

And while it is true that having solar panels installed is expensive, it is not because of the parts. It is because of the installation and assembly of the panels.

But the process I just mentioned is simultaneously easier and more economic than making your own cells by yourself. Therefore, my suggestion is that you buy the necessary cells and assemble them yourself without trying to make everything yourself.

So, is making your own homemade solar cells always a bad idea?

If you have tons of spare time, then go ahead and make your own solar cells – but the rest of us would be better served by buying the parts used, and then doing the assembly work ourselves.