MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MALANG – A discarded CD might not seem like the most promising material for generating electricity, but Anum Maharani Siregar, a student at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), is proving otherwise. Her innovative solar panel design uses recycled CDs coated in copper wire to capture the sun’s heat and convert it into usable electricity.
Driven by the ever-growing problem of electronic waste and the difficulty of recycling CDs, Anum and her team saw an opportunity to breathe new life into these outdated discs. “We wanted to find a way to reuse these CDs and give them a purpose beyond their initial function,” explained Anum on Friday, February 9.
By wrapping copper wires around the CDs, the heat energy generated can be converted into electrical energy. The CDs break down photons carried by heat energy into positive and negative ions. Subsequently, these ions move and bind together to form a direct current (DC) electric current.
Anum further detailed that the DC output from their solar panel is converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter, making it more stable and suitable for household applications. Currently, their prototype can generate up to 300 watts of electricity, equivalent to 12 volts.
“Given our focus on household needs, the electricity produced is ample for charging smartphones,” she added.
A distinctive feature of their solar panel, compared to traditional models, is its sun absorption capacity. While conventional panels can harness sunlight even in low-light conditions, Anum’s creation excels in capturing intense heat.
This disparity fuels her team’s commitment to refining their product to produce electricity applicable to daily life. Additionally, the power output is influenced by the number of copper wire coils wrapped around the CDs.
Looking ahead, Anum and her team are determined to refine and optimize their solar panel design. Their vision extends beyond mere enhancement; they aspire to develop a user-friendly and efficient product. To realize this ambition, Anum seeks collaboration with investors and UMM departments to propel her solar panel innovation into a market-ready solution.
