Solar Cells
Photovoltaic cells are recognizable as a solar collection device due to their common use. They are reflective panels of a thin polycrystalline material mounted to a backing. The crystals collect solar energy and the power is diverted through electronic means. These cells come in panels anywhere from 3-by-6 inches to several square feet in size. These are the primary ingredient for collecting solar energy and one of the most efficient. Introducing kids to these types of materials is the first step to understanding how to harness solar energy.
Other Components
Electronics of varying types are the other main element to solar panels. The cells are wired together to form a grid with basic copper wire materials if there is more than one cell in the unit. Then the entire panel is routed through a main wire with a blocking diode,a device that allows the power collected to move into the storage point, but not back. A storage device such as a large battery, a battery array, or a set of typical household rechargeable batteries collects the power from the panel. The stored energy may then be diverted to other uses.
Putting It Together
Assembling a solar panel means planning out the size and type, setting up the materials and connecting them together. The process is not that difficult and only as intricate as you want it to be. For kids, taking a single solar cell, wiring it to a breaking diode then a set of positive and negative wires running to a simple battery case is the perfect example of how solar can work. The project requires a bit of soldering that an adult would have to do. Before long the kids have a working example of harnessing the sun.
Other Options
There are very simple demonstrations using solar power to show kids how the idea works. Painting the inside of a box black, running a black hose in through the box in a coil then putting a plastic cover on the box will give you a quick water heater, courtesy of the sun. A solar cooker is made with a cardboard box, aluminum foil and a grate. The foil is used to both line the box and make a reflective panel that points the sun to the food and cooks it.