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DIY (Do it Yourself) Projects — Solar Photovoltaic Panel Projects

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Photovoltaic cells (PVs) are a very different technology from solar water heating, and use light to generate electricity. They are particularly well suited to sites where a grid connection would be difficult or expensive or that are only used in the summer. For an independent power supply, solar works well with wind as there is a good balance of both over the year. Solar electricity, like electricity from other renewable energy sources, doesn’t produce carbon dioxide or harm the environment.

Although start-up costs are higher than other renewable technologies, PVs have key advantages:

  • there are no moving parts to fix so they are relatively easy to install and maintain
  • they can be sited in urban areas and are not restricted in the way that wind and hydro-power systems are
  • they can replace other roofing materials, for example tiles. The cells are embedded in a flat, waterproof material to form ‘modules’, which make ideal cladding material for walls and roofs
  • they need not take up any additional land space.

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Off Grid Products — Renewable Energy Products & Services

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Sources for Off Grid Products

Affordable Solar :  This section is designed to briefly explain the similarities and differences in Grid-Tie, Off Grid, Wind, Hybrid, Water Pumping, RV and Marine Renewable Energy Systems.

Backwoods Solar Electric Systems :  Backwoods Solar Electric Systems specializes in alternatively generated electricity for remote homes where utility lines are not available or not practical to access  (over 1/2 mile distant from the site).  Wen you speak with Backwoods Solar, your questions are personally answered by people using the products in daily life.  Pictured here is Ken and Charlene Mayginnes’ home which is  a mile from the closest utility line, and has been  powered entirely by equipment in our catalog for 20 years..

Big Frog Mountain :  Big Frog Mountain offers this renewable energy information and point of purchase site and includes "how-to" information as well as on-line formula calculators for a number of different needs designed to make it easier to determine your specific energy needs and budget requirements.

Eurotech Home Products:  has an "off grid" home/shop with 3 different wind generators, different brands of panels, inverters etc. so that people can see and hear the products we sell and install.

Go Solar :  GO Solar Company’s mission is to create the most useful, efficient, modern and complete systems for solar energy applications and support, achieving new standards of performance and reliability. Since 1985, GO Solar provides professional, residential and commercial, solar system design, installation, and service in the San Fernando Valley, California.

Planetary Systems :  Planetary Systems has been designing and installing renewable energy systems since 1994, and has over 1600 operational systems from 4kw to 22kw, worldwide.  We have always been and remain committed to tested and reliable, yet cutting edge technologies to advance local power generation capabilities.  We firmly believe all electrical power should be locally generated and using as much energy as practically feasible from wind, solar, hydro-electric and other renewable sources.  Based on this, our products reflect our experience and expertise in renewable energy, hydronic heating and water supply systems.  A majority of the products and systems available on our website are in everyday use either on our own or nearby off-grid systems and we strive to test and evaluate products prior to making these available in the marketplace.  
SUNRNR "Sun Runner" of Virginia:  Manufacturers of portable renewable energy generators.

The Solar Panel Store :  We focus on solar power products that function in the harshest environments, designed for years of reliable service. We handle all the components needed for back-up power systems, independent homes, remote systems, and utility-connected power systems. We offer knowledgable tech support before and after the sale.

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Research & Reference Materials

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Convergance Tech — Electric Bicycles and Pedal-powered Generators :  Plans, kits, parts, and completed projects for bicycle conversion. Make power while getting a workout, or let the sun and wind charge your battery for easy traveling. And check out his Bat and Rat detector too! Cool site. 

Glow Inc :  Glow-in-the-dark paints and powders. Really cool stuff.

Hamsterific :  Everything about Hamsters–breeds, care, diet, discussion board, links, housing, health care, and more! He’s a working’ hamster! 

Internet Public Library Science Fair Project Resource Guide :  the name says it all. Dozens of links, samples, ideas, magazines, and other resources for science fairs nicely organized. 

Ready Set Glo :  Glow in the dark paints and powders. Interesting stuff! 

Science Fair Project on the Web :  Resources to help you "Create a winning science fair project." 

Science Toy Maker :  Great pages on making science toys at home. Excellent ideas for science fair projects, and the site explains the science behind the projects in simple terms that kids (and adults) can read without having a dictionary nearby. Colorful format that kids will like. 

ScienzFair :  is a site with hundreds of science fair project ideas in easy to navigate categories. They have extensive ideas for environmental projects. 

Steve Redmonds site :  Extremely detailed information on building a Tesla Disc Turbine. His test model did 10,200rpm on 75psi of compressed air. Detailed pictures and information. Also lots of info on casting your own metal and using the castings to build your own machine tools. The turbine was built with homemade machine tools!  

WonderMagnet :  Have surplus neodymium magnets at good prices even in small quantities. 

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DIY (Do it Yourself) Projects — Solar Water Heaters Projects

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How Do Solar Hot Water Heaters Work?

 With the rising cost of fuel and concern over carbon footprints, many homeowners are turning to green technologies such as a solar water heater. These hot water heating systems not only lower your fuel costs over the lifetime of the system but will also help the environment by cutting back on harmful carbon emissions. Developing a set of workable solar hot water heater plans could be your first important step toward leading a “greener” lifestyle.

Basics

The U.S. Department of Energy provides a complete breakdown of the basics of solar hot water heater systems. As they explain, there are basically two types of solar hot water heaters: active systems, which contain circulating pumps and controls, or the passive systems, which don’t. Both of these plans will require solar panel collectors and storage tanks for the water.

The solar storage tanks will need to be well-insulated to lock in the heat and keep out the cold. You could opt for a two-tank storage, where your system would preheat the water before it enters your conventional water heater. Or you could decide on the single-tank storage option, which combines the back-up heater with solar storage within the same tank.

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Getting Started Making Biodiesel

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Getting Started Making Biodiesel
by Graydon Blair

Welcome to the wonderful world of Biodiesel. It is a fun and rewarding hobby in which you can make your own fuel to run in diesel engines.

Biodiesel is most commonly made by chemically altering an organic oil through the use of a catalyst and an alcohol, typically Methanol. The chemical reaction that occurs through this process breaks down the oil molecules and replaces the glycerine portion of the molecule with an alcohol molecule. The glycerine falls to the bottom and is drained off resulting in Biodiesel.

The Biodiesel is then typically washed, to remove any extra impurities and is then used as a fuel in a diesel engine without making any modifications to the engine.

Biodiesel is known chemically as a ‘fatty acid methyl ester’. Which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a product made from Methanol and an organic oil with fatty acid chains in it. It is easily made and has many benefits, including environmentally friendlier tailpipe emissions and improved engine performance.

To get started making Biodiesel, there’s a few things you need to know.

DIY (Do it Yourself) Projects — Solar Cooking

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Successful solar cookers were reported in Europe and India as early as the 18th century.  The increased use of glass during that period helped inventors to trap heat & hot air.  In 1870, Augustine Mouchot invented a fairly portable oven for the French Foreign Legion.  It could bake a pound of bread in 45 minutes or 2 pounds of potatoes in one hour.

Around the same time, W. A. Adams developed an eight-sided mirrored oven which reflected light through a glass cone located in the center of the oven.  This oven could cook a 12 pound turkey in 4 to 5 hours.  This is still a popular design today.  We actually use a large model, very similar to Adam’s oven.  In this oven we can cook 60 pounds of food at a time

DIY (Do it Yourself) Projects — Solar Electric Projects

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From The Sun, To The Outlet:  You can have as many panels as you want, but until you have the right electronics, the power created could be useless. The power you are creating has to be stored, or at night time you will have no power. For this we use batteries. Not just your everyday AA batteries though, we need what is called a deep cycle battery. Deep cycle batteries are made to be discharged, and charged back up, many many times. If you did that with a normal car battery, it would not live very long. Deep cycles are use in boats for trolling, in golf carts, and even in some forklifts. If you like to scrounge, ask around your forklift dealers, and certain manufactures(they all use forklifts) for the ones they thow out. Golf courses can be good as well.

How To Make A Solar Power Generator For Less Than $300 – Fearsome Homepage:  Using parts easily available from your local stores, you can make a small solar power generator for $250 to $300. Great for power failures and life outside the power grid. Power your computer, modem, vcr, tv, cameras, lights, or DC appliances anywhere you go. Use in cabins, boats, tents, archaeological digs, or while travelling throughout the third world. Have one in the office store room in case of power failures in your highrise. I keep mine in my bedroom where it powers my cd player, turntable, lights, modem, laptop, and (ahem) a back massager. I run a line out the window to an 8" x 24" panel on the roof.

Tutorial On Off Grid And Renewable Energy:  Does the idea of harnessing the Sun’s energy for your electrical needs appeal to you? Have you listened to the wind and seen it’s effects and wondered how you could utilize that energy for yourself? We have the equipment and expertise you need to make the most of the energy of wind and sun for your home, farm, or business.