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How to Build Your Own Solar Powered Generator
Having a solar powered generator can be functional, economical and fun. There are many different practical uses depending on the size of generator you decide to build.
You can find step-by-step plans below to build a portable solar power generator and a link to get plans to build a full size solar generator.
Materials List
All parts below are parts available on Amazon. You can click on any picture to see items.
12v Solar Panel
A solar panel converts the sun’s energy into Direct Current, or DC electricity. Solar panels come in a variety of different sizes and shapes. You can get this 10watt solar panel for around $35. You can get a 100w panel for about $100 more. However, the 10w panel weighs around 2lbs. and the 100w weighs around 20lbs.
12v battery
Batteries are used to store the power from a solar panel so that power can be used at some future time. The battery in your car is designed for short periods of high energy output. You need a battery that is designed for continuous power output. The battery below will cost you around $38.
12v cigarette lighter/USB adapter
This will allow you to recharge any battery-operated item that has a cigarette lighter adapter or a USB. You can get this one for around $15.
Inverter
This will convert the stored DC power in the battery into AC power. Lower quality inverters provide intermittent power and are not recommended. Also, better inverters usually include a voltage meter which will monitor the charge in your battery.
I recommend getting an inverter that is between 500-1500W. Many of these also have USB ports built in for direct charging for things like phones. A 500w will cost you around $36 but will not include a voltage meter; a 1500w will cost you $133.
Charge controller
This is needed to prevent damage to the 12-volt battery, primarily through overcharging. You can get one of these from $13-$35.
Other Materials
Once you begin building, you may find that you need basic wires or connectors. You can search for “solar wires and cables” on Amazon if you need connecting wires. What you need will depend on what parts you decide to buy. Some items come with connecting wires and some do not. Also, many people like to put this in a container. I have seen everything from a 4 pistol case to a homemade built box used.
Wiring Diagram
Conclusion
As you can see, building a portable solar power generator is quite simple. These can be great devices that are fun to build. They are, however, limited in their practical uses.
Using a full size solar power generator is just like using a gas generator and can provide any range of either backup power or main power source.
There are many reasons for wanting or needing a generator including normal electrical failures, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, EMP, power grid failure, etc. If the loss of electricity becomes long term, gas generators will eventually become useless. Solar generators are silent which eliminates the high theft rates of gas powered generators during natural disasters and other times of need.
To see plans to build a full size solar power generator, Click Here.
About Tom Hayden
Solar Energy Enthusiast
and creator of Green Living Kit
Hi, my name is Tom Hayden and I have been studying, building and using solar energy, wind energy and green energy for over 30 years.
There has never been a better time to go green. You can save money by building your own systems and save money by using them.
Source: http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/09/build-your-own-solar-powered-generator/
Already built one. Nice try though. For anyone thinking of buying his plans. You don’t need them. Just buy the components and they all come with instructions to put them together yourself…
I am not very mechanically inclined and I have done it. I think everyone starts small like this article suggests and then winds of going bigger and more expensive. I have 2 Grape solar panels, 2 Optima blue top deep cycle AGM batteries, a Coleman controller, A Tri-Metric meter that measures how much electricity you are taken out of it, and a Go Power 1500 watt power inverter. Some of the above parts can be found discounted on Craigslist. The most expensive part of the Go Power inverter. It is almost 600 USD and a pure sine wave one and greatly reviewed. I may add 2 more solar panels and Optima blue top AGM batteries soon.
A quiet back up systems that can be used for some small daily uses that will cut your electricity costs. Or you can buy a kit already put together. Several companies sell them including Grape Solar.
This is just a basic solar setup, I got a couple of sealed ups backup batteries for $40 each and a pure sine wave inverter $140 and a ‘battery tender’ charge controller for $20 on Amazon. I can power up a 42″ TV, a lamp with a 6 watt led bulb and Roku/Game system all night with very little drain on the batteries. If you know someone with a boat that has old deep cycle batteries that wont crank the boat, Get them from them because they will still hold and store power they just wont provide the 600+ amps to start a engine but they are perfect for solar projects.
I built a nice solar array up at my campground. It powers the street lights and powers the kitchen and my camper. I am going to run more electric to the other camper spots for when friends come visit.