Some solar help at home
 

I've been messing around with some solar ideas around home for the last few months. I thought I'd share some of the things that I've started doing.

The biggest project that is almost finished is a small pv array.
I traded my little electric scooter for 4 older used solarex utility grade PV panels from a local aquaintance. I'm told they were originally off a library in Oklahoma city. They were 6 volt and 70 watts each when new. Age has degraded them closer to 60 watts and I figured out how to convert them to 12 volts. It was important to convert them to 12v so they would be compatible with the grid tie microinverter I had in mind (like this one Enphase Micro-Inverter M200-32-240-S02, MC4 cables) . I will probably buy one of these in the next few days. I found this model as cheap as $185.

Here is a pic of the 4 panels on the rack I made. The rack will soon be mounted on the south side of my yard out of all the tree shadows.

I was reading about solar drapes while researching my other big solar air heater project. Solar Heating Drapes, Solar heating drapes - Solar Electric

So I thought I'd try using some materials I had lying around on some windows that catch alote of sun.

Too bad I only have two small windows that face south.

In one room we use for storage I coverd a double window that faces east with some black plastic weed control fabric. Also, on the stationary part of my patio door that faces west I put up a big piece of leftover pet screen material that I used for the seat of my recumbent bike project. Both set-ups seem to warm up nicely when getting full sun. The weed control fabric doesn't allow a view though.

More to come when I get time :).

Very cool. I didn't know you could get inexpensive grid-tie inverters. Thats great!

Nice. Better than the old OK4U inverters that disappeared years ago. I like the comm via the power wires. Too bad this comm technology isn't used more in other applications.

I ordered a grid tied inverter yesterday. Need to paint the solar rack and then place it outside. Then I can start hoping for some sun :(, haven\'t seen much sun here lately.

The solar air heater I plan to build is like the one shown in this link.
atlanticenergy.ca > projects > Wayne Langille - Solar Air Collectors

I have bought all the materials except the glazing material. I\'m having trouble finding cheap, light, and heat resistant material. I\'m thinking of using the corrugated polycarbonate roof panels. Tuftex Polycarb, 8\' x 26", Clear Polycarbonate Panel, V
My local hdw has this stuff for that price, but they won\'t order less than 10 items and I only need 2. All the other home improvement stores can get it only in wierd sizes, like 3ft wide or 7 ft long, and thier prices are quite high.

I haven\'t had time to start building it yet anyway. I\'ll figure something out.

Holy cow thats an expensive solar air collector. I\'m much more partial to this design:

Build a Simple Solar Heater

Very cool project!

I agree it is expensive the way they show it. I\'m definitely not spending anywhere near as much as they are showing :eek:. I looked at many diy designs and this one stands out for me. It seems well researched and developed with great performance.

I\'m just going by the basic design. I\'m using things I already have, or I substituted certain materials for cheaper easier to get items. I\'m using a wood frame instead of aluminum and hopefully getting a much cheaper glazing. My foil faced insulation was way cheaper too. I will be using a fan from one of the many I already have, and come up with a controler from stuff lying around. I found 3" flex aluminum duct for cheap. My cost isn\'t going to be anywhere near what they list. I estimate around $150- $200 in the end, depending on glazing.

I recieved my new Enphase inverter on monday. It is very well built and so far I\'m very happy with it. I have pretty much figured out how I"m going to lay out the system. I just need to get some wire and finish painting the wood frame pv rack.