A solar panel converts the energy in sun’s rays into electricity. With the help of common items found in your house, you too can create a solar panel and generate electricity. The cleanest form of renewable energy available, solar energy will only help reduce your energy bill.

Here is a list of things you will require you create a solar panel:

One electric stove (at least 1000 watts)
½-foot square sheets of copper flashing
One 2-litre plastic bottle
One micro-ammeter
Three tablespoons of table salt
Sheet metal shears
Electric drill with sand paper
Two alligator clip leads
Safety goggles
Tap water

Steps to prepare a solar panel:

1.    First, clean the copper flashing thoroughly. If there is any corrosion on the flashing, remove it with sandpaper. With the help of the sheet metal shears, cut the copper flashing into size big enough to cover the electric stove burner.

2.    Now place the copper flashing on the electric stove burner and turn the stove on. The flashing should remain on the burner till a layer of black cupric oxide forms on it. This usually takes about 30 minutes.

3.    Once the layer of cupric oxide has formed on the flashing, allow it to cool down. Clean the flashing so that all the black cupric oxide is removed from its surface. However, make sure to leave the red cupric oxide formed in the process, as it is.

4.    Use the metal shears to cut another piece of copper flashing in the same size as the previous one. Take the 2-litre plastic bottle and cut its top off. Attach the two sheets of copper flashing to the insides of the plastic bottle using the alligator clips. The sheets have to be attached on the both sides of the insides of the bottle, and should not touch.

5.    Connect the lead of the alligator clip of the clean copper flashing to the positive terminal of the ammeter. Now connect the lead of the alligator clip of the red cupric oxide plate to the negative terminal of the ammeter.

6.    Take some hot tap water and dissolve the table salt in it. Now pour this salt solution into the plastic bottle. But make sure that the salt water solution only covers the bottom of the two copper flashings. It should not reach up to the level of the alligator clip leads.

7.    Now place this set-up in sunlight. Watch the ammeter to read the amount of electricity generated by this solar panel. While you set up your solar panel, be sure to wear your safety goggles all the time.