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Edit: Sweet, I'm on hackaday!
Hello, in this Instructable I will show you how to generate solar power using inexpensive solid state parts and without PV (photovoltaic) cells or panels. I wanted to make this project to see if I could beat the dollars per watt costs of commercially available solar panels.
You only need a few inexpensive parts to build one. It is pretty easy to build and very simple. As far as I know, my idea for the combination of thermoelectric coolers and Fresnel lenses is original... but it's probably not.
Sorry about the rubber bands and foam but remember this is an experiment on my part. Rubber bands are just the best thing for me! Likewise, I recommend you also build a prototype and if (when) it works you should go on to more fancy enclosures. Remember this is just a rough guideline and you can modify it however!
How it works:
This generation method uses a Peltier cell to generate electricity. Peltier cells are designed to be used as heat pumps. When you apply power to a Peltier cell, it begins pumping heat, and one side becomes cold and the other, hot. However, you can do the opposite and generate power from a temperature differential on the sides. To generate this differential, a Fresnel lense focuses light onto one side of the Peltier, and it becomes hot. The other side has a heatsink attached along with a fan that is powered by the Peltier.
Disclaimer:
Lenses concentrate light, which is absorbed by everything, and when light is absorbed, heat is created. You can easily burn yourself and other things with the lens. Don't leave this out uncovered because the sun moves and it might focus on something. I disclaim all responsibility for anything ever.
Hello, in this Instructable I will show you how to generate solar power using inexpensive solid state parts and without PV (photovoltaic) cells or panels. I wanted to make this project to see if I could beat the dollars per watt costs of commercially available solar panels.
You only need a few inexpensive parts to build one. It is pretty easy to build and very simple. As far as I know, my idea for the combination of thermoelectric coolers and Fresnel lenses is original... but it's probably not.
Sorry about the rubber bands and foam but remember this is an experiment on my part. Rubber bands are just the best thing for me! Likewise, I recommend you also build a prototype and if (when) it works you should go on to more fancy enclosures. Remember this is just a rough guideline and you can modify it however!
How it works:
This generation method uses a Peltier cell to generate electricity. Peltier cells are designed to be used as heat pumps. When you apply power to a Peltier cell, it begins pumping heat, and one side becomes cold and the other, hot. However, you can do the opposite and generate power from a temperature differential on the sides. To generate this differential, a Fresnel lense focuses light onto one side of the Peltier, and it becomes hot. The other side has a heatsink attached along with a fan that is powered by the Peltier.
Disclaimer:
Lenses concentrate light, which is absorbed by everything, and when light is absorbed, heat is created. You can easily burn yourself and other things with the lens. Don't leave this out uncovered because the sun moves and it might focus on something. I disclaim all responsibility for anything ever.
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Signing UpStep 1Parts and Tools
For this project you will need:
a Peltier cell (I got a 50W one for $5 off of eBay, they are still there)
a Fresnel lense (mine's about the size of a sheet of printer paper, there are a whole lot on ebay)
a CPU heatsink (any type of heatsink will work, as long as it's big enough. I got mine at a garage sale for $2.50)
a 5V fan (more info on that later)
Tools/other materials:
Thermal grease
Black paint (I used semi-flat spray paint and it didn't burn)
Foam
Soldering stuff
Wire cutters
Cardboard/foam
Reflective material
Note on the peltier: The wattage doesn't affect the power output, but it does affect the internal resistance, which in turn affects the voltage output. Higher wattage = lower voltage, higher amperage. You want a lower wattage peltier so the voltage output is high enough.
My dad built a DIY projector and one of the Fresnel lenses he bought was scratched so he gave it to me.
Warning about the Fresnel! Don't go much bigger than the sheet-magnifier size because you will fry your Peltier. We are probably already running it over it's heat limit, which means it may not last as long.
We have a bunch of foam lying around from building RC foamy airplanes.
The heatsink used to have a fan on it but it was 12v and barely ran off of 5v, so I hunted for 5 volt fans. I was impatient and couldn't find one that I could purchase locally, so I went to Fry's electronics and picked up a laptop cooling pad for $10. There is another one there for $5 that will work fine. It had two fans built in, so I took out the 6 screws, pulled it apart, and pried off the two fan blades/circuit boards. As you can see, they were smart and made the fan axles built into the case instead of standalone fans... so I outsmarted them and dremeled out the axles! You could go my route and use a band/jig saw or dremel, but I highly recommend buying a 5v fan online to save yourself the trouble.
a Peltier cell (I got a 50W one for $5 off of eBay, they are still there)
a Fresnel lense (mine's about the size of a sheet of printer paper, there are a whole lot on ebay)
a CPU heatsink (any type of heatsink will work, as long as it's big enough. I got mine at a garage sale for $2.50)
a 5V fan (more info on that later)
Tools/other materials:
Thermal grease
Black paint (I used semi-flat spray paint and it didn't burn)
Foam
Soldering stuff
Wire cutters
Cardboard/foam
Reflective material
Note on the peltier: The wattage doesn't affect the power output, but it does affect the internal resistance, which in turn affects the voltage output. Higher wattage = lower voltage, higher amperage. You want a lower wattage peltier so the voltage output is high enough.
My dad built a DIY projector and one of the Fresnel lenses he bought was scratched so he gave it to me.
Warning about the Fresnel! Don't go much bigger than the sheet-magnifier size because you will fry your Peltier. We are probably already running it over it's heat limit, which means it may not last as long.
We have a bunch of foam lying around from building RC foamy airplanes.
The heatsink used to have a fan on it but it was 12v and barely ran off of 5v, so I hunted for 5 volt fans. I was impatient and couldn't find one that I could purchase locally, so I went to Fry's electronics and picked up a laptop cooling pad for $10. There is another one there for $5 that will work fine. It had two fans built in, so I took out the 6 screws, pulled it apart, and pried off the two fan blades/circuit boards. As you can see, they were smart and made the fan axles built into the case instead of standalone fans... so I outsmarted them and dremeled out the axles! You could go my route and use a band/jig saw or dremel, but I highly recommend buying a 5v fan online to save yourself the trouble.
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But the problem is - You willl need a pretty BIG freshnel lens or BIG solar oven and 1m X 2M heat sink too.... that's a huge thingy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310148993913&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310209561834&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
i like how its actually being put to good use!
If you're wondering how I just finished, it's because my school does a 4x4 schedule, were we have 4 classes per semester, that are twice as long as normal periods.
my friend got so pissed he threw a knife at that book!!
i got an ideer: if u focus the light on a black container or can filled with water coundt u make a solar powerd sterling engine???
(see sterling on instructables)
Is there any benefit in putting a peltier on the back of a PV cells to harvest the heat that would otherwise be wasted ?
2 years ago, I bought my 7th grade son 10 40 or 50 watt thermoelectric chips off ebay to use in his science fair project and a 5watt solar panel. We were going to make portable or camping generators. TE chips would be attached to a chunk of old aluminumg griddle, heated with a tin-can "refuge biogasifier stove", make E and cook at the same time. He also made a Parabolic reflector from a $store mirror and mylar (not tested, but looks cool), and the cardboard packing box of the PV was wrapped inside with Mylar as a perfect concentrator with carrying case for travel. That worked "good". ATTACH THE TE CHIsP TO THE BACKS OF PV PANELS, use the mirrors or your fresnel lenses, and cooling PV panels is good for their performance and longevity. Bill Thomas, Olympia, WA.
I have a solution for your possible paint problem. For the paint you can buy BBQ grill paint (black) at any Home depot it is made to withstand up to 1200 degrees.
could you rock out get power piss the niebor off an once he steps outside onto the doormat you rebuilt heating with his increasded body heat generate eletric. seens in the winter the ground would be cold ? win win win if nothing elss the rocker chick on the otherside wants to party with you , thats eltric isnt it?
And, by the way, that picture is disgusting.
I also go camping at least 8 or 9 times a year. Alot. Its funny, because the reason it took me so long to respond was because I just got back from camping.