RV solar panels can work wonders for your recreational vehicle.  You don’t need to worry about the location of the nearest RV park to charge your batteries during a trip, so installing RV solar panels gives you more freedom on the road.

People install RV solar panels to harness the sun’s energy to power up their electronic devices inside the recreational vehicle.   There’s no need to use noisy fossil fuel generators along the way, and you’ll save on generator fuel as well.

But before you purchase an RV solar panel kit, you need to know a couple of things.  One of the most important factors you need to consider is the total amount of energy you need for your RV, which will determine the number of solar panels, batteries, and the size of the inverter.

To accurately estimate the size of your RV solar panel kit, calculate the total energy you’ll use in a typical day.  Once you determine the amount of solar power system, you can then envision if you have enough space for the inverter and batteries inside your RV.

If the projected RV solar panel system is too big for your recreational vehicle, the best and only viable solution is to reduce the amount of energy consumed.  There are various ways you can save on your power usage.  Plan your trip during warmer times of the year, which will cut your furnace use since heaters consume a large part of electricity produced by RV solar panels.  You might also consider getting a catalytic heater for the job because this type of heater doesn’t use electricity.  Further, you should also switch off lights and devices when not in use.

The cost of RV solar panels varies among the different models available on the market today, although a complete kit typically costs around $500.  This includes batteries, the inverter, and wires to connect the components. The actual cost will depend on the quality of the parts, but that doesn’t mean that cheaper is not better.  Consider going online to find good bargains.

If you can’t afford a full RV solar panel kit, then opt for a portable solar panel instead.  This can be used to charge your batteries and power small electronic devices.

These are the points you need to consider regarding RV solar panels.  If you’re thinking about getting a kit for your next DIY project, be sure to keep these points in mind.

This post was originally published on DIY Solar Power. To read the full post, please visit Points to Ponder about RV Solar Panels.

Most people are unfamiliar with magnet energy.  This alternative, renewable energy source can be harnessed in your home to provide 100 percent free energy.  Using magnets to generate energy might seem like something from a science fiction novel, but it is a reality and has been proven to work.  People should keep magnet energy in mind the next time they’re thinking of supplementing their home electricity system.

Clean, sustainable energy source

There are advantages to installing a magnet energy system in your home.  Probably the biggest benefit you can gain from magnet energy is that it’s a clean, sustainable energy source for your home.  The magnet energy generator doesn’t emit greenhouse gases that are harmful to the environment, and this clean energy source is safe to use and keeps your carbon footprint to a minimum.  Another plus is that it works by itself because it doesn’t require any fuel for it to work.

Simple construction

People often have the misconception that building a magnet energy generator is hard work.  On the contrary, making one is simple . There are no complex parts to deal with, and one can be built in less than two hours with no prior training or knowledge on building one.  This is one DIY project that you should try.  The parts needed for the project can be purchased from any hardware or specialty shops, and it requires small space and can be placed in your basement or attic.

Save on your monthly bill

Another advantage a magnet energy generator can bring to your home is that it can reduce your monthly electric bill by up to 75%.  It’s up to you to determine how much energy you want to generate from magnet energy.  Just imagine how much money you can save if you can cut your energy bill in half.

These are several advantages of building a magnet energy generator.  If you’re interested in making one, then you’ll need at least $100 to purchase the necessary materials for the project.  If you’re up for the challenge, click this link to find how you can enjoy free sustainable energy in your home.

The simple DIY Magnet Energy generator can do wonders for your home.  The guide was written by experts, and the instructions are easy to follow and well-organized.  Take the first step in permanently slashing a significant amount in your monthly energy bills and learn more about magnet energy today.

This post was originally published on DIY Solar Power. To read the full post, please visit Advantages of Building a Magnet Energy Generator.

Image by Philip Weiss via Flickr

Let us take a break from all the DIY projects for now and learn of the story of a teenager from Malawi, who harnessed the power of the wind by building windmills out of junk.

At present, William Kamkwamba has high-profile fans, such as Al Gore and other business leaders, all over the world.

At age 14 he was forced to quit school because his family can’t afford his school fees.  But this didn’t stop his dream of bringing running water and electricity to his village.

After Malawi’s worst drought in 2002, Kamkwamba went to the local library and researched how he could help his hometown.  There, he saw a photo of a windmill and he was determined to make one that could power a water pump for his village.

During the day, he would help his family farm maize, but at night he would work on his windmill.  Although his intention was good, people in his village thought he had gone insane, because he was often seen scouring for garbage.  What they didn’t know was that he was just looking for parts for his DIY windmill!

Kamkwamba built a turbine from bicycle parts, tractor fan blades, and an old shock absorber.  His turbine blades are made from plastic pipes which are flattened by heating them.

It took him months to complete his prototype, which stood five meters tall.  The tower would sway with the wind.  Thoughts of him being crazy were erased, and turned into amazement, when he hooked a car light bulb to the windmill and it lit up.

News of this inspiring story spread in 2006, when Daily Times Newspaper published his story.  At present, William’s village has a solar-powered mechanical pump that provides potable water to the surrounding area around his village.  This was donated by well-wishers.  His original windmill has been upgraded to 48 volts, and has been anchored on a concrete base.

He also erected a new windmill, the Green Machine, which powers a water pump that irrigates his family’s maize field.

William Kamkwamba has become a superstar in alternative energy.  His DIY windmill has brought him fame.  He has been featured in the front page of the Wall Street Journal.  A book about his life has been published as well.

The world needs more people like of William Kamkwamba, in order to help us overcome climate change.

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This post was originally published on DIY Solar Power. To read the full post, please visit Malawi DIY Boy Inspires People around the World.

There are different types of do-it-yourself solar projects you can choose from. Be sure to pick the one that will meet your needs.

In the solar thermal category, you can choose among home solar power ideas, solar space heating, solar water heating, passive solar cooling, sunspaces, greenhouses, and solar pool heating. These projects will help you use the sun’s energy to heat your home and/or your water supply.

Passive solar power set-ups in the home make your living area more energy-efficient. You could do this along with a solar heating project, especially if you live in a place where the winters are cold. Solar space heating is more cost-effective as compared with solar electric systems.

But if your location is off the grid, you could also try your hand at do-it-yourself solar electric projects. You can make a simple PV solar system that can power your water pump and other electronic devices. You might also want to combine this with wind and hydro systems.

Then, there are the do-it-yourself solar cooking projects. Solar cooking is the safest, simplest, and most convenient method of cooking your food without using of fossil fuels or conventional electricity sources, and without producing unwarranted heat in your kitchen. Solar cookers are not just for cooking. They can also heat water for your household, preserve fruits and tomatoes, sanitize utensils and dishes, and kill insects in grains. These are just a few of the ways solar ovens and cookers can help your household.

Whatever your particular circumstances, you should be able to find DIY solar power projects that will suit your requirements. There are tons to choose from – solar powered lighting, water pumping, conservation, solar space heating, home solar power, solar water heating, greenhouses, passive solar cooling techniques, solar pool heating, solar electricity, solar cooking, solar drying, and even solar vehicles. The level of expertise required for these projects can range from novice to professional. You can also pick up DIY kits from stores but some projects can be made from thing you commonly find at home.

Have you ever done a do-it-yourself solar power project? What was it, and how did it benefit you?

This post was originally published on DIY Solar Power. To read the full post, please visit Do It Yourself Solar Projects.

Thermal energy comes from heat, and should not be confused with electrical energy that comes from a solar panel.  A solar panel converts the sun’s energy into electricity, whereas a solar collector simply absorbs the sun’s radiation and uses it to create heat.

A simple do-it-yourself solar collector can be made out of a typical pressed-steel central heating radiator. This is inexpensive, and can even be purchased second-hand.

If you use a second-hand radiator panel, be sure that you remove the paint from the front surface and reapply primer. Size will not matter, but you should consider keeping it around one square meter or less. Keep in mind that you’ll be installing the solar collector on your roof, and anything bigger will result in the difficulty in handling it.

Once you’ve selected your radiator panel, the next step is building a case for it. It is recommended that you assemble the case in its final position, to make your job easier. Then there will be no need to hoist the entire solar collector up onto the roof after it has been built.

The case is just a simple box with a front cover glazing, made out of the 3mm glass which is typically used for windows. The glass must be purchased after you’ve assembled the box. Measure the case, and buy the glass already cut to size. Be sure to leave at least a 2mm gap around the glass, to allow for its expansion. The glass cover must overhang the lower edge of the case, by at least 12mm. This will keep rain water from seeping onto the panel.

Making your DIY solar collector water-proof and keeping it dry is not an easy task. You might prevent rain water from entering, but over time, internal condensation can occur. You can prevent this by inserting 5mm breathe holes along the lower side of your box.

Insulation must be placed behind the collector, because internal temperatures can reach up to 140 degrees Celsius. Avoid using the cheap types of insulation, such as polystyrene, because these tend to shrink or melt. To limit air movement, ensure there are no gaps between the panel and the insulation.

This homemade solar collector should be cheaper than those available in the market. The thermal efficiency of a central heating radiator is fairly comparable with the commercial solar collectors. If you’re looking for a cheap way to heat your water supply, this is one of your options.

This post was originally published on DIY Solar Power. To read the full post, please visit DIY Solar Collector.