Learn how to build a solar powered car

I recently read a post about a student at the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore in Pakistan who built a solar powered car in less than a month.

Shown in the photograph to the left, the invention of Farrukh Kahn has been named “Solaron.”  Admittedly, this solar powered car is not your typical road-ready vehicle.  It has 3 wheels and was constructed with used bicycle parts and a 40 watt solar PV canopy that connects to an on-board 12 volt dry cell solar battery.  But for short trips, the solar car may be just the answer to get you to your destination without having to gas up, or emit CO2.

This DIY solar project cost Khan less than $600 to construct.  The solar powered car has a range of about 43 miles and can reach up to 20 mph.  Admittedly, that is slow, but for local commutes and errands, it may be just the ticket to getting gas-free.

Khan has posted complete instructions to assemble the solar powered car here.

Original article published here.

DIY solar panels offer varying results

How much can you save?  Are you the kind of person that enjoys DIY home improvement projects?  Before you get out the ladder and drill bit, let’s consider the risks and benefits of installing DIY solar panels.

Benefits:

• Cost savings on solar panels.  Whether you go with a DIY solar panel kit, or even create your own solar panels with materials, you’ll be able to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars over a professional installation.
• Flexibility in the type, function and location of the solar array.  Order 2-3 solar panels and decide if they work.  Need more juice, get another one.  If you are 100% in charge of your own solar energy generation, you can make revisions to the system at any time.
• Satisfaction in completing the project yourself. When you undertake a DIY solar panel installation, you can take pride in completing the system and may be better invested in its maintenance and efficient power generation.

We love this video that explains how easy and cheap DIY solar panels can be:

Risks:

• No warranty for installation of DIY solar panels.  If you purchase commercial solar panels, you might have a product warranty, but if you make errors in the installation, you have no one to turn to but yourself!
• No assistance in applying for rebates or tax credits.  Professional companies will usually help you maximize savings under various federal, state or local programs.  DIY applies to this part of the equation too!
• No assistance in securing land use and/or construction permits.  Don’t forget that your local city or county probably has regulations governing installation of solar panels.  Homeowners Associations do too.  Professionals can often secure these approvals quickly and efficiently, but it might take you more time to do so.
• Possibility of damage to the panels or incorrect installation.  Even DIY solar panels are relatively expensive.  You might want to protect your investment by bringing in professional installers, or at least someone in the construction industry to help!  Don’t forget wiring, which may require the help of an electrician.

DIY solar panels can save a lot of money when they are done right

Have you or someone you know installed DIY solar panels?  Be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below.

Today, solar technology has advanced to maximize the amount of energy absorbed from UV light with heliotropic solar panels. You can make your own DIY sun tracking solar panels, using directions on this video.

All you need are some solar panels from garden solar lights, an Ardunio, some CD disks, styrofoam and hot glue:

For more information on how to build DIY sun tracking solar panels, and where to get the materials, click here:  DIY Solar Tracker.

Solar pool heater installed

Whether you have an in-ground swimming pool, a spa, hot tub, or an above ground pool, you can use solar power to heat the water to a comfortable temperature, while saving money and the environment.

Solar pool heaters work year-round, no matter where you live – they are not just for sunny locations!  Keep your pool at a comfortable 80-degree temperature with clean, soar energy.

Solar Pool Heating works for above-ground pools too

Solar heaters operate with free heat from the sun, with no operating costs.  Like other solar hot water systems, water is continuously pumped through a heater, then back into the pool.  With an existing pool pump, you can set it to operate during waking hours when you’ll want to use the pool, hot tub or spa.

How much do solar pool heaters cost?

Depending on the size of your pool and warm water needs, you could pay a range of $1000-5000 for a solar heater.  Installation costs vary as well – you could even go for a DIY solar option.  Average overall cost for a system, plus professional installation is about $5000.

Solar installations are eligible for local, state and federal tax rebates, as well.  Be sure to ask about discounts and other incentives!

Where can I get a solar pool heater?

There are many companies that sell both solar heaters and offer professional installation.  We are not affiliated with any of these companies.

Compare and contrast bids and be sure to check with the BBB before making an investment in a solar pool heater:

• Solar Direct
• Build it Solar
• Solar Attic
• Pool Products
• Hot Sun Industries
• Amazon.com

Tap into solar energy to warm your pool, hot tub and spa!  Solar hot water will reduce your costs and help you minimize impact on the environment, so you can relax and simply enjoy the water.

Install solar panels with the help of do-it-yourself solar panel videos

You want to install solar panels, and you don’t want to pay a contractor.  Fortunately, there are many do-it-yourself solar panel videos that can walk you through the process, step by step.  From solar panel kits to actually building your own solar panel array, you can find instructional videos for every solar panel need.

We have gathered a few of our favorite solar panel videos together here.  After you watch them, you’ll be able to decide whether this is truly a DIY project, or whether you should hire a professional.

Considering the investment associated with a solar panel system, you want to make sure that you do it right, not only to protect the solar panels, but also to wire it correctly so that you save the maximum amount of money on clean, free solar energy!

The first couple of videos are from Expert Village.  There is an entire series of do-it-yourself solar panel videos for viewing at YouTube, from wiring to inverters and more.  The next videos can help you shop for materials and actually build your own solar panels.  Get out a pen and paper before you watch!

This should be a good start for anyone wanting to install solar panels themselves.  DIY solar is a hot topic these days, with the generous government incentives available for renewable energy installations.

Get out there now while the weather is still nice and the days long enough!

Solar Panel Instructional DVD & Plans for water heating. A simple step-by-step, DIY, easy to follow solar panel construction DVD. No special tools required. Sleek design, professional look and ease of fabrication. Heating system fully integrates into your existing pool piping network. 3500 watts (12,000BTU) of free solar power per panel. 10+degrees F increase in water temperature in one day. Engineered for maximum robustness and weatherability.

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Build a solar panel system for free energy

We’ve posted before about easy, DIY solar energy kits for your home.  With electricity costs rising quickly, don’t you think its time to build a solar panel system for free energy?

Trust me – you don’t have to live in the desert southwest or near the equator to tap into solar energy.  Nor do you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars for an investment.  Just a bit of UV light each day, and PV panels that are unobstructed and angled to the south (in the northern hemisphere).

Heck, even the government wants to make it easy for you!  With generous federal and state tax incentives, you can re-coup up to 80% of the cost of a solar panel system.

Home solar power system

There are many benefits you’ll realize from a home solar power system:

• No greenhouse gas emissions.  Solar energy is not only free, its carbon-free!  There are no emissions or byproducts from generating electricity from the sun.

• Free energy.  Your only cost is for the solar panel system.  After that, electricity is free, and reliable (no blackouts during storms or emergencies).  After a few years, you’ll recoup the cost of a home solar energy system in utility bill savings, plus increased property value.

Convert to Solar Air Conditioning

With temperatures rising as summer approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, its time to think about cooling down.  A solar air conditioner, also known as solar evaporative cooler can save you from the heat – and the high electric bills associated with running a conventional A/C.

A startling fact to consider: One-sixth of all electricity use in the United States is for air conditioning!  Can you even imagine all the CO2 emissions as a result?  Not to mention millions of dollars that do not have to be wasted in this way when solar energy is clean and abundant – especially during the sunny, hot summer months.

There are a number of ways to go about using the sun to actually lower the temp in your home, apartment, or even a tent.

As shown in this first video, a homeowner hooked up an air conditioning unit to a photovoltaic solar panel.  As the panel absorbed solar energy, a converter switched the direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), required to power the device.  Bingo!  Free solar energy!

This is a perfect DIY solar project.  Instructions are available at www.livingonsolar.com.

After you view the first video, consider the next one about a solar absorption cooler.

Solar absorption coolers do not release CFCs into the atmosphere.  The cooling unit is 100% self-contained, unlike the solar A/C units shown above.

Granted, the cost may be too high for homeowners (at this time), but I suspect that one day soon, we’ll see this technology on our own streets.  I would love to visit the Audubon Environmental Center in L.A. to feel – and see – this solar absorption cooler in action.

Would you use one of these solar air conditioners?  Chances are, you could save $75 a month in cooling costs over the summer!