DIY Solar Projects – Updated Edition: Small Projects to Whole-home Systems: Tap Into the Sun

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Learn how to make your own solar-powered appliances and additions to your home with the step-by-step instructions you’ll find in this updated edition of DIY Solar Projects.

Put the sun to work in your home with the new, expanded edition of the popular 2011 title DIY Solar Projects. Like the original, this edition offers small-scale, achievable solar projects that homeowners can build and install themselves. From cooking in solar ovens, to mounting solar panels on your roof, this book teaches how to take advantage of solar energy. It’s all possible with relatively small investments and minimal DIY building experience.

You’ll learn how to make:
  Tool trailer with available AC-power (directly from the sun) Solar systems for marine crafts Solar-powered security light Solar water heater Solar hot-air collector window mount Solar lumber kiln Solar battery charging station
With clear instructions, tips, and step-by-step color photos for each project, this book takes the intimidation out of DIY solar builds. For those with more ambitious solar power plans, this updated edition contains information on outfitting your home with solar electricity collection systems and integrating them into your primary power supply system. Excitement about home solar energy is exploding, and DIY Solar Projects: Updated Edition sheds light on how you can get involved immediately.

This book also offers an extensive resource guide with links to tax-reducing, subsidy, and support programs on both a national and state-by-state level. With high energy costs and an environment that demands cleaner fuel sources, now is the time to introduce new, cost-saving solar projects into your home.

From the Publisher

More Watts Equals More Work

Once powered by a windmill that needed frequent maintenance, this deep well, which pumps water to a nearby stock tank, is now powered directly by solar modules. Instead of pumping on demand, the motor pumps water continuously when the sun is out and stores it in a large tank.

Water for irrigation is continuously pumped from a deep aquifer up to this storage tank during the day as long as the sun is shining.

A solar-powered roof vent fan draws hot air from the attic during the day when the sun is out—the time when the attic is hottest. This type of fan generally does not include a battery, and is powered directly by the solar module (although some manufacturers offer models with backup wind or AC power).

A multimeter is a good diagnostic tool for checking a photovoltaic module to ensure it is working properly. It also allows you to check the power generated at different angles and locations.

Mounting Solar Modules

Mounting an array of solar modules so everything stays in place for decades can be the most demanding part of a solar installation. With so much surface area the modules can catch gusts of wind almost as well as a sail. An array also must hold up against rain, snow loads, hail, and whatever else nature dishes out. This requires secure mounting to a roof, the ground, or the side of a house or other structure, using rust-resistant metal poles or racking and the best stainless-steel hardware.

The large surface area of solar panels means that they must be very securely mounted to resist the force of the wind.

How to Install a 12-Volt Solar Light System

Step 1

Locate the roof rafters, either by using a stud finder or by lifting up shingle tabs and tapping in finish nails. You must plan to fasten at least one of the angled mounting brackets to a rafter. If the other doesn’t fall on a rafter, plan to attach it with toggle bolt anchors

Step 2

Predrill the holes for the mounting brackets (above), then fill them with roofing cement or silicone caulk (left). Fasten the brackets to the roof with neoprene screws (small lag screws with a rubber washer), or with toggle bolts if not attaching to a rafter.

Step 3

Fit the bottom of the first collector module neatly into the slot in the mounting frame assembly.

Solar Ovens

Solar ovens and cookers are simple devices that capture heat from the sun with a reflective surface that’s angled or curved toward a cooking pot. Because they can be made easily from cheap materials such as scrap cardboard and tinfoil, they are widely used in areas of the world where trees and fossil fuel are scarce or expensive. Once made, they can be used to cook food and boil water in a reasonable amount of time for absolutely no cost.

How to Build a Roof or Ground Support for a Solar Collector

You can make a sturdy support for either PV panels or solar collectors by assembling lengths of Unistrut U-channel (sold at home centers and electrical suppliers; see Resources, page 186) and then anchoring them to the roof or ground. Use galvanized or stainless-steel pieces and fasteners, and follow the same guidelines for selecting a location and height.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cool Springs Press; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1591866642
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1591866640
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.75 x 10.65 inches