
Homemade solar panels/cells make a great DIY project for adults and kids alike. One simple way to make a cheap solar panel is by using cuprous oxide, an oxidized form of copper. While this is a great experiment to show how a solar panel works, keep in mind that it will not produce much power at all. Part 1.

Engineers have discovered they can embed solar cells directly into plastic using an injection molding machine, creating thin, bendable solar modules.