Solar Cell Panels from Garbage

Although the solar energy generates benefits greatly, it is still limited – because the use of solar energy needs the processes and equipments which is solar cells functioning as receivers and converters of sunlight to be electric power but the solar cell panel used nowadays is expensive.

Dr. Sathaporn Thongvic, lecturers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi has achieved the success of solar cell panels with low-cost materials from garbage like condensed-milk cans, aluminum cans, rubbers and zinc – are used to make solar cell panels along with comparing the efficiency of each material with water flow system.

The solar cell panels at the rate of water flow 1, 1.5 and 2 liters per minute showing that, first, the flow rate 1.5 liter per minute is the trial with aluminum cans yielding the highest efficiency accounted for 94.13%. Second, the flow rate is 1 liter per minute accounted for 82.43% of efficiency. And the lowest efficiency of flow rate is 2 liters per minute accounted for 77.61%.

Thailand has high potential in utilizing solar energy due to the almost-year exposure to the sun valued at 17 MJ/m2-day.

The solar energy can be used as many purposed such as heat and electric power. Bringing garbage to recycle to be solar cell panels reduces the cost of production so it can be widely used and it’s a way to conserve the environment and reduce garbage too.

Translated by Mr. Amondech Inkaew