Most of us are already aware of the benefits of home solar power. Not only are home solar systems eco-friendly, but they also save huge amounts on electricity bills. Unfortunately, it can cost thousands of dollars to buy and install ready-made solar panels. What most people don’t realize is that DIY solar systems are a completely feasible project for all levels of handiness and can be made for around $200.
The first step to DIY solar power is to understand the basics of how electricity from the sun gets into your home. First, the energy from the sun must be collected by a module (the solar panels) and then it travels through the inverter. This will convert the energy into power that you can use. An electrical panel distributes the power to where it is needed. The power still flows through the utility box and is controlled by the utility grid.
In order to make your own home solar power, you will need a few basic supplies and tools. First, you will need the actual solar panels. Broken or chipped solar cells can be bought at a discount. However, these won’t store as much energy as full cells so it is recommended that you buy full solar cells. You will need a surface where you can mount the cells, wire, soldering gun, some caulk for mounting the cells, a voltmeter, and some basic tools like a screwdriver.
DIY solar systems are actually quite easy to install. However, if you don’t feel comfortable fiddling with your electric panel, you can always hire a professional electrician to do the installation for you. Even with this cost, DIY solar power is still just a fraction of the cost of ready-made systems.
If you are renting or aren’t ready to set up a complete solar power system, a DIY solar water heater is a good place to start. Water heaters require a lot of electricity but are amazingly easy and cheap to set up on solar panel. A DIY solar water heater can be made with an extra boiler, some black paint and some piping adjustments. You would be surprised at how simple but effective home solar systems can be.
Because home solar systems are gaining popularity, it is easy to find detailed information about setting up your own DIY solar power. It is good to start with small projects like to build solar water heaters and then expand upon this knowledge to create a complete home solar power system. For just a small investment, you can save the planet while saving on your electricity bills.
Find out more about DIY solar panels. Also find out how to build solar water heaters!
Recent Comments