Soda Solar Panel

Matte black spray paint.

Soda solar panel. This tutorial shows you how to take used soda cans and turn them into solar panels. Cold air is drawn in through the bottom of the panel and up through the cans where the air is heated by the sun. Using scrap parts and empty soda cans you can create a solar panel capable of heating a small area. You ll need a large sheet of glass for the front.

This is to help them absorb and conduct heat better. A simple soda can panel relies on natural convection hot air rises to move the air. Plus it can help you to become more self sustained too. But if you prefer building something from scratch you might love this practical approach to generating heat with a central solar thermal panel.

Next make a wood or metal frame to hold your makeshift solar panel cells soda cans in place. Conventional solar panels contain photovoltaic cells that use materials such as silicon to convert energy from sunlight into electricity. That s right recycled solar panels using almost completely free materials. Assemble and prep your cans.

With some 2x4s and plywood you create a simple box to house the cans. The back side of your diy panel can be wood or metal. While soda cans can t convert sunlight to electrical power they can be used to capture solar energy to heat air. Spray paint the frame back panel and cans black.

It s a neat idea which could save you a great deal of money in the process. Here is a list of materials you will need for this project. Plywood 15mm 0 6in or sheet metal to make the frame.