Based on my research, as well as my own analysis, the following Solar Panel design is worth experimenting with. While past designs have used copper foil, and this apparently works well, copper foil is expensive and hard to find locally. Instead, I suggest that you try using tin foil, that is, aluminum foil, from the grocery store. To build the Solar Panel you use a 2 foot by 4 foot acrylic sheet which can be bought at Home Depot. You then use a second 2 foot by 4 foot sheet of acrylic and drill 1/4 inch holes every 2 inches throughout the sheet. You also the must use another full sheet of acrylic which is 2 foot by 4 foot. You cut two wide pieces of aluminum foil, 4 feet long. You then hook a 12 volt battery, with the positive lead on one end of one aluminum sheet, and the negaitive lead on the other end. This polarizes the electrons in the sheet. You then take one acrylic sheet, then layer one aluminum sheet next to it, then the holed acrylic sheet, then the other aluminum sheet, then the other acrylic sheet. You then use construction sealant/glue and lattice cap moulding to seal the two sides and one end, with a wire attached to each aluminum sheet. You then pour salt water into gaps between the aluminum sheets and the hold acrylic sheet until full. You then use a final piece of lattice caping with holes drilled for the wires to exit, and glue that piece of lattice caping in place. Let the glue fully dry. And this should work as a low cost Solar Panel. You may need to attach a voltage regulator before hooking the wires to a 12 volt battery for use.
(C)Copyright 2010 by Anthony J. Fejfar
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