Shopping List to Build Your Own Solar Power Generator
People jumped in the bandwagon of using solar energy for different reasons. Many are concerned about climate change and want to contribute to making the world a better place to live in. Several people just want to save money on electricity bills and cut some power sources for machines and appliances. Others resolve to go completely off-grid powering their houses, workplaces and buildings with solar energy. Whatsoever the reasons are, using solar energy can save potentially save us huge amount of money and avoid environmentally dangerous power sources.
While not most of us can afford lining our roofs and heating our pools with solar power, there is a solution to still enjoy solar energy even at a cheaper price. Let’s take a look at what to prepare in order to build a real and usable solar power generator at home in an easy and cost-effective way.
Buy a Solar Panel
A few hundred dollars may be a heavy investment for a do-it-yourself solar power generator. However, it would still be all worthwhile in the long run when it comes to saving money for electricity bills. Depending on the availability of your funds and the scope of area you want to cover, purchase for yourself a solar panel to start with. There are solar panels that cost about $100. You can buy them at home improvement stores and even in online shopping sites. A solar panel rated above 12 volts and not more than 20 volts will work perfectly.
Purchase a Rechargeable Battery
Next thing you need is a battery. You can buy suitable batteries at the stores where you get your solar panels. It should be a deep cycle battery so you can maximize it for continuous use. A battery of 12 volts in power would work best for your homemade solar power generator. It is important that you choose the battery appropriate for your need since there are different kinds of battery – some collect energy, others dispel and some crank the gears. This can cost around $50-$100.
Acquire a Storage Device
The safety of the solar panel and battery is also important. You can secure it if you install the solar power generator in a cabin or pump shed. If not, acquiring a good covering to house them is a must. A battery box would also ensure that the generator is out of the children’s reach and other people who might be injured. This can be bought at electrical supply stores at a cost around $25-$35.
Get a DC Input Device
The DC input device is responsible to transfer the electricity charge from the battery to whatever machine or appliance you want to power it with like the generator, television, stereo or a pump. Usually, these appliances already run on a DC current. Hence, they will positively accept the stored solar energy.
Use an Inverter
While many appliances have DC current, others also run on AC current. Thus, you will also need an inverter to power AC current devices with solar energy from the generator. An inverter with 115-volt AC 140-watts can be purchased in appliance shops or car parts stores at a price starting at $50.
As soon as shopping is done, you will now be ready to assemble everything you bought. Then, all you have to do is get ready for solar power.
