Solar electricity generation (PV)

Here are two explanations of how solar cells work. Note that the first one is complex, and the second is really complex!

Here are a couple of ways to make your own solar cells. Neither of them is very practical, or produces much charge. The first is reasonably simple, the second is extremely complex and just FYI.

How to Make a Solar Cell Out of Household MaterialsA solar cell is a device that converts light from the sun into electricity. A commercial solar cell is made from silicon and is highly efficient but also expensive. You can make an inefficient solar cell at home that demonstrates the photoelectric effect with relatively inexpensive materials. This project requires ...

How to Make Solar Cell in Home: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHowSolar energy is one of the fastest growing alternative energies in the world. Though building an entire solar panel takes a degree of skill and patience, even a beginner can apply the same principles to create a small solar cell. This is a...

Here is a video that expands on and refines the first of these options...

Here is another video of someone making a solar cell. This time, it's out of old CDs. This looks great and so easy!...but hold on a sec - does is really work? Why not give it a go using a single CD and testing it out with a multimeter.