DIY SOLAR POWER

Who doesn’t want something for free? How about heating your home or your pool for free? If you live in the northern hemisphere and have unobstructed access to the south you can harness the power and energy of the sun with a DIY solar system.

A simple do-it-yourself project could result in free heat for your home, for your pool or for your water heater and the DIY solar collectors you build are not as difficult as you may think.

With a few great ideas and some special pointers you can be on your way to harnessing the abundant power of the sun.

A DIY solar panel installation can be as simple, as complex and as varied as your imagination allows. With a little understanding of how solar collectors work to deliver heat to an area the process will then become simple to let your imagination flow to use the resources you have available. A quick internet search can also provide you will plans and designs for a variety of DIY solar options.

Below you will find the directions for a simple and efficient DIY solar heater that will soon pay for itself and provide you with free heat from the sun.

To make a simple DIY solar heater you will need two 14’ 1”x6” boards and three 9’ 1”x6” boards to make a frame. You will build a frame that is 9’x14’ with a center board for strength and structure.

Additionally you will need a large piece of black plastic that the frame will go over as well as a see through sheet of 4-mil plastic. The entire thing will be mounted to the south side of your home, unless you are in the southern hemisphere in which you will mount it to the north side of your home.

With all of the supplies you need the steps to build your DIY solar heater are simple.

The below is a very very basic way to make a solar heater. Download the difinitive guide to solar panels for a the more professional way of using solar power to generate heat and water energy. 

Step 1: Affix the black sheet of plastic to the south facing wall of your home (again for northern hemisphere). Make the plastic about 9’x14’; however, the entire unit can be sized to fit your home or your south facing wall. The larger the unit the more heat you will generate for your room and or home.

Step 2: Mount the frame onto the black plastic. This should be a sturdy structure as it will be a productive part of your home for many years.

Step 3: Cover the outside of the frame with 4-mil plastic. Glass can also be used and will be more efficient; however, this is more costly and the risk of breaking is greater and more costly to replace.

Step 4: Cut a couple 12”x15”vent holes in the wall near the ceiling or top of your frame that is on the outside. Cut an additional hole that is about 12”x24” in the bottom of the wall for a cold air return.

Step 5: Place covers over the holes you created so that you can close off the unit and open the unit when you desire.

Your DIY solar heater will supplement your heating costs as well as adding to the green movement of using sustainable energy.

If you would like a more definitive guide to A Beginners Guide to Solar Panels why not download the ebook today.