Inexpensive DIY Solar Power - The $600 Kit

I've got two solar lights for riding my bike at night attached to my backpack. The radio beside my bed is a solar/dynamo flashlight/radio that I've had modified so that it can also charge AA batteries. I rigged up a couple of amorphous silicon solar panels to a battery and a DC light in a failed experiment to provide a solar powered reading light (I'd have to figure out some way to hang the solar panels outside and above my third story, rented window - something my landlords would not approve). I have a mock up of a solar rechargeable single LED light and have been collecting battery operated "reading lights" to see if I can come up with a solar rechargeable reading light. I've been trying for the last six month to contact an MIT grad student who's been building electronic LED jewelery with young girls at Boston's Museum of Science to talk about the possibility of expanding the concept to include solar recharging of the batteries. I have an outline for a half hour do it yourself TV series on the variety of ways a single south-facing window can be maximied for energy efficiency and solar power.

The last mass market solar device was the garden walk light. That was introduced by Chronar Corporation about 20 years ago. Now you can buy a set of eight from Target for $35 (on sale). What is the next mass market solar device? A one window solar electric system? A solar rechargeable reading light inexpensive enough to be available to every child on Earth? A solar/dynamo flashlight/radio battery charger which is the flashlight, radio, and extra set of batteries we are all advised to have on hand in case of emergency plus a day or night source of low voltage DC power?

There are many ways to approach a full solar economy. These are some of the steps on the road. We better start walking soon as this winter's gonna be a bitch.

My question is a practical one. What company can put all this gear into a single crate, sell mail-order as a system, ready to install out of the box, so enterprizing folks can go sell them door to door in suburbia? Real Goods, hello?

The phase-in strategy could be a good idea if it makes economic sense for individuals. Couldn't this idea save more money by "net metering"-that is dumping electricity into the grid-and saving money by scrapping the battery and inverter?

Jimcoli

I hate to reiterate Jimcoli's question, but I need to know the steps for taking this mini solar kit into a net metering situation. If I could bring that to my neighborhood organization we could really make a difference. And each year adding another, and so on. Heck, with a mini turbine in addition what's to keep suburbia from becoming passive power farms? Surely some sprawl-developer somewhere can see the potential profit in that?

What would it take to incorporate this kit into a home that's already on the grid? I imagine this project would be a lot more appealing to the majority of homeowners if it could seamlessly integrate into your already wired electrical system.

If only they could provide more power. I would spend $1500+/- to have my computers run on solar energy all the time. Maybe in a year or two we will be there.
BTW, here is a link to a company that produces high quality LED solar flash lights, maybe gmoke (first poster) wants to take a look.
http://www.skylight-swiss.com/en/index.html

I repeat jimcoli and Rex Pechler's question. The article makes sense for a web site named "off-grid.net", but I don't need to disconnect from the power grid, just offset my electricity use. How cheaply can I do this? Can I just plug the inverter's output into a 110V socket? I think you don't even need to tell the power company you're doing this unless you're going to generate enough electricity to spin the meter backwards, though it might help to get a rebate.

skierpage, this is to offset your grid electricity use. the inverter (like those car inverters you can find at almost any store) has regular outlet plugs that you can plug your appliances into.

in TOronto ont where can i purchase the solar panel ./?

Jimcoli, If you want to connect the solar panel to the grid you can get rid of the batteries, but not the inverter. You have to get a more expensive grid intertie inverter. There are many sites that sell complete kits for net-metering installation, including this one:

http://www.partsonsale.com/products2.html#homekits

Sierra Solar (http://www.sierrasolar.com/) has packaged systems for mail order:

http://www.sierrasolar.com/prod_store/PS_outback.html

I am interested in using solar power but would want to know how much it would to have a 2.5kVA power system.

There is a site that sells less expensive starter kits, they would work well for taking a room off grid, or offsetting your electrical consumption-
http://store.sundancesolar.com/plsoensy.html

Anyone that is interested in renewable energy to power their home should check out www.homepower.com. They run a magazine (paper & electronic) and offer primer articles on various RE systems (solar electric, solar thermal, hydro). You can get a free copy of their mag on the site, and subscribe for a year for $15 (6 issues, electronic version).

These guys have been around for over a decade and know what they are talking about. In the past they have even discussed "guerilla solar", which is connecting your own small-scale RE system to the grid. And yes, you need a special inverter to do it, the one mentioned here won't work.

of course it's a good idea to just power gadgets around the house if you can't afford to go the whole hog. if everyone just had portable devices that don't cost a lot of money, then together we could save sooooo much wasted energy

I think it's great that producing solar energy on a small scale is becoming increasingly accessible. Using green power has become more affordable to initiate which can only be a good thing!

This is very interesting--something I'd like to try. One thing though----trying to print this out is FRUSTRATING. And very, VERY paper-wasting, and INK-wasting when it prints something I didn't even ask for. Hello, Treehugger--can you make some TRULY printer-friendly versions of your articles? I'd really appreciate it!!

--
ed: I've forwarded your comment to our tech person.

I must agree with what is suggested here - grid tie solar is currently more viable than any other usage of solar energy.

I think the general concept is fantastic - there is a very long tail of people who are interested in using solar technology, but they here they have to invest 10KUS$, no way.

If they can start off with 500-1000$, with that long tail..that can make a huge difference!

It's not Moore's law exactly, but since this article was written you can now get a 60 watt "kit" for $450. Federal tax incentives take another 30% off that, and this year solar panel prices are projected to drop by at least 20%. Here's to crossing the tipping point in the next year or two.

tem：YG-H60
Product specifications:
 Solar household power is a electricity generation and lighting systems by taking use of sunshine.It consists solar panel ,controller,inverter, maintenance free sealed battery 4 parts.
 Used for small home use,it can controlled,protected , easily to operate, DC input voltage is 12V, AC output voltage is 220V, AC output voltage is 12V.
 YG-H60 solar system can simple used for 3 of DC energy saving light,radio,camera,mobile recharger,ect.
 Technical parameters:
 solar panel 60Wp,at 15-18V,max recharge current: 3.5A,daily supply:200Wh
 output: 12V/DC
maintenance free sealed battery: 65Ah
 support power and working time:40W/5h
 keep on working 2-3 cloudy days
 System Protected feature.

Thanks & Best regards
Cher Zheng(Ms)
MB:86-15989515015
Email: cher_zheng@solar-global.cn
msn:cher_zheng@yahoo.com.cn
yahoo: cher_zheng@yahoo.com.cn
hotmail:solar.module@hotmail.com
skype: cher_zheng
Google talk: solarpanelcn
www.solarglobal.blogspot.com

There are detailed plans available like the ones shown here
http://www.squidoo.com/Home-DIY-Solar-Kits

The initial cost of the equipment is the bulk of the $600 after that you should be able to build a 83watt 3.5amp panel for around $360 each.

You can get creative at maybe build a sun deck covered with solar panels.

I think the term "guerilla" solar is pretty accurate, but also pretty effective. Guerilla warfare often works where traditional warfare will not. When regular solar panels are out of reach for many americans, why not do it yourself and save some cash. You can get cheap inverters on ebay that will do the job nicely. Check out http://www.renewablehome.info for more info on DIY green energy projects.

if anybody is looking for more information on how to install solar panels, here is a terrific website for smart homeowners who are sick of paying too much in these tough economic times. highly recommended. here's the link: http://budurl.com/homeenergyresources