Building a solar collector is the perfect way to save money on energy bills, and may be used to create electricity or to heat water. The idea is to directly extract the electromagnetic radiation from sunlight, and turn it into a usable or storable form of energy.

The two most popular applications for solar collectors would be to heat water and generate power. Though these two utilize the identical transfer of energy theory, there are usually major structural differences.

Solar Collector To Produce Electricity

Solar Collector is generally made from titanium dioxide and create electricity through the photovoltaic effect. It’s now very easy to build your own generator in the home quite cheaply by substituting titanium dioxide with cuprous oxide. Although you’ll lose a little efficacy, this is a far cheaper way to go than purchasing professionally made panels.

Solar Collector To Heat Water

This kind of solar collector differs, in that it includes a simple heat transfer circuit which includes water that constantly circulates throughout. The most common case of the type can be understood in common solar hot water systems, where the hot water tank is really up on the roof with the solar collector. Trials are being held in Germany to utilize solar heated water in the summer to heat homes in the winter.

Homemade Solar Collector Instructions

There are loads of programs and schematics available over the web for immediate download. Not only can you find instructions to construct a solar collector, but also how to construct a wind turbine, and how to make biodiesel.