Is DIY Solar Power Possible?
Is it really possible to have DIY solar power in your home? If you like do-it-yourself projects, then yes! Now what we’re talking about here is electrical power (photovoltaics), as opposed to solar water heaters and solar heat systems. Solar water heaters are also a great DIY solar project. Solar heat systems have best results when they are planned into the architecture and building of your home.
The great thing about solar power is that it is really not all that complicated and has very few moving parts. You really only need basic skills to assemble most of the components necessary for a DIY solar power electrical system. Depending upon how you use your DIY solar power electricity, you may need to hire an electrician to wire the solar power into your house. But the rest is definitely do-able for a DIY home project.
There are many types of DIY solar power projects out there from manuals to build the solar power system from scratch to kits where all the components are provided.
DIY Solar Power – from Scratch
There are DIY manuals and videos available that tell you everything you need to know to create solar power for homes. They tell you where you can purchase the materials you need (the majority of the materials are available at your local hardware or home store). They also give instruction on how to connect the PV cells together to form a PV array (the solar power panel you see on rooftops). They walk you through physically constructing the PV arrays and connecting them to your home. If you have a kid who is interested in science or home projects, this could be a great project to work on with them.
DIY Solar Power Kits
There are also DIY solar power kits which are supplied by stores (physical or online) and usually provide the PV array already assembled. Depending on the type of solar power kit you buy, there might also be included a battery and/or a DC-to-AC inverter. DIY solar power kits are very popular because you get to decide how much you want to do, from actual building, wiring, and installing, to just opening the box and installing the kit. Solar power is a true Do-It-Yourself because so many of the products are things the homeowner can do without any professional help.
One of the most popular types of DIY solar power kits involve lighting. And if you don’t think lighting will make a difference in the world, keep this in mind: The US Department of Energy estimates over 20% of U.S. energy goes to lighting!
Types of DIY solar power electrical kits available are:
Solar Lighting – both indoor and outdoor: ambient lights, security floodlights, flashlights, back-up lanterns, spotlights, streetlamps, etc
Solar Chargers: battery, camera, cell-phone, laptop, mp3, and universal.
Attic Vent Fans: attic vent fans and attic gable fans
Solar Pumps: pond, pool, fountain, and birdbaths
DIY solar power projects are also great for the camping and RV enthusiasts. They make great portable electricity generators. Some of the PV arrays even roll-up to make them compact for camping.
The great thing about DIY solar power is that you can size the system you want to build. Start off small with minimal outset of money. Then once you get an understanding and increase your comfort level, you can build upon and expand the system you already have.
With DIY solar power projects you have more complete control and understanding of the solar electricity you are generating. DIY solar power projects/kits are a great stepping stone to going off-the-grid or grid-tie for your whole home.
Remember: even small uses of solar power add up -
it’s power you don’t have to have your electric company
to generate for you (reduce your carbon footprint),
and power you don’t have to pay for (reduce your electric bill).
Filed Under Solar Power Info
Tagged With solar power
