Watch the copper very well. You will observe that the colors change as the copper starts to oxidize, and gently transform to black. Let the copper stay on the burner for about 40 minutes or up to the time that a thick coat of oxidized black material turns up. Turn the heat off on the burner, then let the copper cool in the air. There are plenty of ways to collect solar energy such as through parabolic troughs, solar panels, solar dishes and solar power towers that have reflecting mirrors. A number of solar collectors are categorized as either concentrating or non-concentrating. Concentrating and Non-Concentrating The concentrating gatherers use panels that are angled the right way to absorb the prime point of the direct rays of the sun. Solar Thermal Systems Solar thermal systems, on the other hand, simply generate heat, and are well-suited for boilers, furnaces and water heaters, as this type of system allows you to make heat using direct solar energy at a much lower cost as compared to using conventional energy and electricity. However, if you want to retrofit your home with one of these solar thermal systems, you need to sacrifice a little bit of space in your home. Getting a solar energy system for your home or work place these days would actually help you save some money on the total cost of your utility bills annually. However, this particular benefit is not necessarily immediate, as there are some other costs that you need to consider. Nonetheless, using solar thermal systems would allow you to get back the total cost within 5 years of installation, and 15 years for photovoltaic panels, after which, you can then enjoy the benefits of cutting down the total cost for your energy consumption. Even though solar panels and the relative accessories like solar lights are expensive to purchase at the beginning, the total sum you save in the years to come will be bigger, thereby boosting your savings instead of investing in a non-renewable energy source. The energy provided by the sun is readily available and free. About the Collectors A solar energy collector gets the radiant energy from the sun to be converted into heat. A solar collector transforms solar energy into heat by taking advantage of the greenhouse effect. The solar energy will go through a layer of glazed glass, and then be absorbed by the material underneath.