Solar Cells 

 
Solar energy: Powering the future 

OVERVIEW 

- From this activity, we hope you gain interest in thinking of new ways of powering 
the world in new and creative ways! 
- We also hope you understand that solar energy is a good form of clean sustainable 
energy  

THINK ABOUT IT! 

Solar energy is a form of renewable energy. The sun supplies a lot of energy to the 
earth. We can convert this energy to electricity. A device that performs this task is called 
a solar cell. 

Solar energy is a clean energy system, however, it currently isn’t very efficient. 
Right now the best solar cells can only turn about half of the sun’s energy into electricity. 
We need young creative minds to think of new ways to solve these problems!  

SOLAR CARS! 

In this activity, we will be demonstrating how solar energy (produced from a 

flashlight) can be used to power a car with a solar cell on it.  

When the light shines on the solar cell, the electrons become “excited” and begin 
to move around, producing an electric current. This electric current is the electricity 
which makes the car move!

BUILD IT!  

MAKE YOUR OWN SOLAR POWERED NIGHT LIGHT 

We will be making solar powered night lights! We are decorating mason jars and putting 
an LED solar light in the top of the jar. 

We need to get some supplies before we start:  

● A solar cell from a garden light with an LED 

● A mason jar 
● Some art supplies to make it beautiful! 
● Glue to put it together   

The light can be built in a few easy steps: 

1. To start we’ll be drilling holes in the lids of the mason jars (Get adult help with 
this part!) 
2. Then we’ll get the solar cells with LED’s on the bottom and poke it through into 
the jar to make sure it fits 
3. Next, we glue the solar cells onto the top of the mason jar lids to keep them in 
place. WARNING: be careful when using a hot glue gun, an adult should be there 
to help you with this part 
4. Finally, we get to the fun part, decorating! We’ll have plenty of art supplies so you 
can personalize your night light any way you want it! 

 
Boom, you’re done building in 4 easy steps! Just remember to keep the light near a 
window so the sun can charge it or near any light source so it charges during the day to 
keep your nights bright!   

EXPLORE IT! 
- Why do the solar cars move when using a flashlight? 
- Will the night lights need batteries? 
- What applications do the night lights/solar cars have? In what situations would 
this be useful? 

CONCLUSIONS 

- What is solar energy?  

- Why do you think solar energy is important? 
- What does sustainable energy mean? 
- Why is sustainable energy important?