Solar power for less than $500
Here are five ways to start using solar power without spending tens of thousands of dollars.
By Chris BaskindMon, Apr 26 2010 at 1:50 PM EST
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FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT: Residential solar power seems expensive to implement right now but here are some affordable ideas to get you started today. (Photo: Dept. of Energy/Flickr)) Ah, the dilemma of solar power: so clean, so abundant — and so expensive.
There's no end to the potential of solar power. The amount of solar radiation reaching our planet's surface in any given hour is theoretically adequate to meet all of humanity's current energy needs. That sounds great, and huge strides are being made to bring residential solar power down to the level where it can be an affordable option for people other than Silicon Valley CEOs and well-heeled eco celebrities.
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But for most of us, solar power is still a fairly daunting investment. Even if you're in a position to finance a major home improvement project and live in an area that offers tax subsidies for solar investment, a system capable of covering your home's current energy use will run into the tens of thousands of dollars. This assumes you're a homeowner. Tough economic times and an unstable housing market have more Americans renting than ever before, and none of these people are candidates for a solar retrofit.
And so we wait ...
The good news is this: the future is solar. Photovoltaic panels continue to get smaller, cheaper and more efficient. Installation costs are declining in direct proportion to the number of solar systems going into the field. Policymarkers are waking to the benefits of a more decentralized power grid, and community building codes increasingly reflect the new reality of solarized homes and businesses.
Solar power is on its way. In the meantime, how can we use all these free photons? It depends on your needs and budget, of course. But we've rounded up five ways you can start using solar energy today.
Our ground rules are pretty simple. Each of these mini solar investments must provide reasonable benefits, not be more involved than a weekend project, and clock in under $500. They're not restricted to photovoltaic conversion, and may use solar energy in any way. Both DIY projects and product purchases are fair game.
Ready to give it a shot? Pick one, and join the solar age!
Small-scale solar panels
When most people think about solar power, the first thing that comes to mind is solar PV (photovoltaic). These are systems that convert sunlight into electricity. The size of the installation can vary, but it will have three basic components: panels, which capture sunlight and convert it to electrical energy; a controller, designed to prevent overcharging; and some sort of storage battery. Many systems will also have a DC to AC power converter.
For $500, you can't buy enough juice to run a major appliance, much less an entire home. But if you're willing to do the work yourself, you can afford the materials for a self-contained system that will provide enough clean, renewable power for small electronic devices and chargers. Small-scale solar is useful for emergencies, too. You'll be able to run a laptop or keep your cell phone charged, even when your neighbors are sitting in the dark.
Sunforce is one of the many green companies providing consumer-level solar power kits and components. Their 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit retails for about $600, but can be found on sale through places such as Amazon for about $300. That leaves a couple hundred bucks for a storage battery, which is not included. You're otherwise good to go, with four 15-watt panels, a frame, and most of the goodies you'll need to get up and running. Small systems like this are also great for powering things that might be impossible or prohibitively expensive to connect to commercial mains: water pumps, marine electronics — even electric fences.
Tubular skylights
Energy-efficient lighting isn't all about CFLs and LEDs. The next time you're in an older home — one constructed before electricity was common — notice the windows.
Until the turn of the last century, buildings relied on natural daytime lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows were common (and used for both ventilation and illumination). We don't build that way anymore, but it's possible to make direct use of solar power through the installation of skylights.
Conventional skylighting can be pricey, and usually requires professional installation. But tubular skylights are a simple and inexpensive way to bring light into your living space. These consist of three basic parts: a dome collector, which is mounted above the roofline; piping, which directs the collected sunlight; and a diffuser, mounted much in the manner of a traditional roof lighting fixture.
Tubular skylight projects generally don't require building permits, can be knocked out in a few hours with common tools, and don't displace much attic insulation. The amount of light they produce can be considerable. This 18-inch kit provides the equivalent of 750 watts of incandescent light for about $400, including optional accessories. That leaves $100 to rent whatever extra tools you might need — and to buy a case of beer for whoever you can talk into spending an afternoon on the roof with you.
A humble clothesline
Here's another example of direct solar power: a clothesline. In terms of home energy use, the clothes dryer is among the hungriest of appliances, ranking immediately behind the refrigerator, climate control, hot water heaters and lighting. Depending on how much laundry you go through and local power rates, an electric clothes dryer can easily account for $200 of your annual energy use.
The sun is ready to save this money for you. A clothesline can be as simple as a piece of nylon rope tied to an apartment balcony, or as deluxe as a folding aluminum frame parallel line capable of hanging a couple of big washer loads at once. Free-standing frame units require a concrete base, so you'll need a sack of gravel (for drainage) and some Quikrete. Follow the directions supplied with the kit, and be sure to use a level to get everything is lined-up before the concrete cures.
The whole project should come in well under $100. Take the other $400 and enjoy a weekend at the beach. (Solar power works well for tanning, too.)
Solar attic fans
On sunny days, your attic can become an enormous heat trap. With temperatures of up to 150 degrees, this trapped heat will radiate into living spaces below. That means a greater demand on your air conditioner.
Take a load off by installing a solar powered attic fan. The brilliant part about solar fans is that they provide peak ventilation during the hottest, brightest part of the day. And there's no need to run wiring: Many solar fans are available with a small set of PV panel right on the top.
This fan kit is powered by a 20 watt PV array, and operates at 1,200 cubic feet per minute. That should be enough to fully vent an attic of up to 1,800 square feet. A properly vented attic can lower room temperatures by as much as 10 degrees, and a cooler roof will also extend the life of its shingles. The unit we've linked here retails for less than $450 and can be installed in an afternoon with common tools. Go with the optional thermal snap switch for fire safety. This project should pay for itself in its first year.
Solar cookers
Who doesn't love a summer cookout? Of course, like most good things, there are downsides: VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from charcoal starter, and a none-too-light carbon footprint.
Solar cookers are another direct use of solar power. They're amazingly simple devices, utilizing one or more reflectors and a sealed cooking compartment. Relief agencies have made extensive use of solar cookers in the wake of the Haiti earthquake, due to their low cost and ease of construction. Chelsea Green has a great set of directions on how to make your own for no more than a few dollars.
If you don't want to go to the trouble — or you'd just enjoy the convenience of a well-engineered portable cooker — Sun BD sells a nifty unit it claims will produce temperatures of up to 400 degrees. That's plenty hot enough to roast meat or vegetables, bake or boil water. It folds up like a suitcase, making it handy for camping or weekend picnics. You can grab the Tulsi-Hybrid Cooking Oven for less than $250 at Amazon.
What can you add to this list?
We've started the conversation with five meaningful solar projects for less than $500 each. Can you think of others? Share them in our comments section below.
Chris Baskind is a carfree environmental writer, and the founding editor of Lighter Footstep (now part of the MNN family). You can find more alternative energy stories on our Facebook page, or via our Twitter feed.
Also on MNN: If you're solar-obsessed, you'll love this gallery from the 2009 Solar Decathlon
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Comments
Shawn Morrill
02/12/2011 12:02 PM
What about food production? This is probably the oldest use solar energy and something just about everyone can do.
Larry
02/12/2011 08:12 AM
Here in central Illinois a local inventor received some attention from the local press regarding his $200 solar collector for the home. The inventor was invited to my classroom and after doing a presentation to students in an Energy and Environment class was kind enough - and smart enough - to work with my class to build 2 of the 4' X 8' aluminum can-fueled collectors. After six weeks of cloudy weather we tested the 1st one on a sunny Thursday and over a six hour period in the sun the one we.... More
SolarMan
02/11/2011 21:13 PM
Just fill one gallon water bottles and set them in the window during the day and then move them into the room after sunset. The stored heat will radiate back into the room.
Heinz M
02/11/2011 18:44 PM
Each square meter of ground gets about 1 horsepower of solar energy (about 750 Watts). I sq m is about 1.2 sq yards. With a solar cell efficiency of 20% every sq yd (9 sq ft) of solar cells will collect about 125W in full sunshine.
So you'll need about 20 sq yds of solar cells to harvest 2.5Kw (when the sun shines and you have the optimum angle to the sun).
RodneyHall
02/11/2011 17:47 PM
Last spring I built an inexpensive trellis along the west elevation of our Dallas home and planted bean vine along the bottom. By June, when the heat starts climbing in Texas, all the west exposure exterior walls are covered with vine... creating a scenic heat barrier on the brick veneer. The vine thrives all season long and blossoms with purple flowers. It dies off quickly in November after the first hard freeze and is easy to cut down and dispose of.
JohnP
02/11/2011 16:55 PM
1st, I have been a preacher of cloths lines for decades. In Texas mid summer some items are dry before you finish hanging it. My line is in the shade because the sun can fade some colors.
I have one of those old homes with lots of windows (110 yo). I put heavy black fiberglass screen in the 13 windows on the south side on sheer rods under the curtains because the room was uncomfortably bright. On a cold sunny day this room will stay 3-4 degrees warmer than the rest of the house.
Gottfried
02/11/2011 16:52 PM
For recreation I have a wind-powered boat (sailboat), gets really good mileage. I also have my air-conditioning oak tree that shades my house until about noon, a south-facing foyer for solar heating, grape-vines on the west side-side to keep the wall cool, my wood-stove runs entirely on bio-fuel, and most importantly, my house is only 500 sq ft.
David J. Vohlken
02/11/2011 16:15 PM
It is incredible how much light is eliminated in a room by lamp/fixture shades! The country could save $Billions in lighting expenses by using bare bulbs and/or shades engineered to block a minimum of light.
David N. Smith, CW4 Retired
02/11/2011 15:19 PM
Is there a way to submit drawings of an easy to make, cheap solar device?
Sean
02/11/2011 15:04 PM
I do this for a living, Residential is about $8-10 per watt, commercial is down to $4-5 per watt. Certified Eneregy Manager
Conrad Shull
02/11/2011 15:00 PM
Burning lump charcoal is not only better for grilling and smoking, it's also carbon neutral as the wood it came from would eventually "rot'' giving off an almost equal amount of CO2.
runswithbeer
02/11/2011 14:53 PM
Panels are lucky to get 20-30% of that during bright sunny days for about 6-8 hours per day. When the price of the panels hits 50 cents a watt, ($50 a 100watt panel) WITHOUT ANY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY, I'll cover my roof with them. You can almost double the capacity of solar panels using mirrors to reflect more sunlight unto the panel.
Ashley
02/11/2011 16:51 PM
Do you realize that gas/oil and coal companies get HUGE subsidies from the government, yet I bet you have electricity and a car you put gas in. What is the difference? Not to mention that coal and gas industry profit in the BILLIONS. Once more people buy into solar power the less subsidies will be needed.
runswithbeer
02/11/2011 14:46 PM
Wholesale prices on 100 watt Chinese solar panels are right at $100.
$600 for a 60 watt system looks to me to me a bit of a ripoff. $10 a watt retail for a $100 product.
Nick
02/11/2011 19:08 PM
The cost of the panels is only a fraction of the cost of installing a solar power system. If you wanted 3 kw (about what you need to power a typical american home for a day), it'll take 30 panels. Then you need regulators and wiring that can handle that kind of power. Then you need a battery array... and a way to burn off the electricity when the batteries are fully charged (or connection to the grid to feed excess power to the grid). Then there's mounting infrastructure. Add to that the.... More
Bill
02/11/2011 21:58 PM
With a direct grid interconected set up, batteries are not needed and you supplement your energy needs with solar energy produced on site. With a UL listed inverter you can feed surplus energy not needed back into the grid and get a credit from the utility.
Jim
02/12/2011 02:55 AM
No You can't, in most areas.
The electrical companies do not buy back power at the same rate that they sell it., if at all. in most north American sites. You may be scammed
Utility Guy
02/12/2011 11:10 AM
In Washington state the utilities are required to buy back extra electricity generated from solar panels. It is a big loss for the utilities, as we can generate electricity for $.02/kWh, and we have to pay the solar up to $.50/kWh. The state kicks in some money if the panels were manufactured within the state.
Solar Dude
03/02/2011 15:22 PM
While we are at work and our house sits empty during the day our Solar Panels are generating 3kWh. Which I sell back to TXU for .075kWh. Then in the afternoon when I come home and the sun is down I buy back my energy from TXU for .105kWh. The electric companies get you no matter what you do.
David N. Smith, CW4 Retired
02/11/2011 14:41 PM
A simple plywood box mounted in a window such that there is an intake section from the house with output back to the room. Southern and western exposure can be enough for the one room. The inside is painted black and the sun exposure side has tempered glass to allow the sun to hit the black inside. By using sheet foam insulation the heat is retained better and there need be no propulsion unit as the rising heat does it all.
Michael dEstries
02/11/2011 14:09 PM
Will definitely take a look at the first option for a pump house in need of some new energy source. Thanks.
Daryl
02/11/2011 13:13 PM
I believe the technology already exists for solar power and electric companies are keeping it off the market. There is no reason a 2 foot by 8 foot panel is limited to 20 watts.
Caveman
02/11/2011 14:25 PM
I agree... if every house in America was equipped with solar, where would they make they're money at? Now it's a battle of them wanting to hold their foot in the market, as opposed to Tesla's idea of free energy, which EVERYONE wants now and know it's possible. They overcharge on their rates anyways and make too many mistakes on the bills. I encourage the use of solar.
Math guy
02/12/2011 11:12 AM
We all tire of Liberal Arts majors reading about something, and then blabbing about it. Learn a little of the technology and do the math. Then argue your point. Until then, it's just meaningless dribble.
David N. Smith, CW4 Retired
02/11/2011 15:25 PM
I built a "Tesla type device" when I was a teen, before I had heard of him. In a area with strong RF signals in the air it is easy. The problem? Only very small amounts of power can be extracted. I used a simple 1N34 diode on a wide_band receiver to rectify the RF dropping the resultant across a series of resisters, tapping them to bias a transistor which amplified my tunable crystal set enough to power a speaker. Power to operate a home is not possible using simple Tesla technology.
Machiavelli
02/11/2011 11:55 AM
I have seen pool owners run lengths of black pipe along their South facing fence to allow the early Spring sun to warm the water and open the pool earlier. There is no reason a similar setup wouldn't work to preheat water going into their house water heater.
Griff
02/15/2011 17:08 PM
maybe i'm stating the obvious, (in which case, sorry, just trying to help!), but this is only a good idea if you're not in a zone that freezes, otherwise you would easily bust a pipe. It works for a pool anywhere since you drain it before the freezing comes anyway.
Jim
02/12/2011 03:03 AM
You can do very effective pool heating in warm climates (Sunny) with black polyethylene pipe on the roof or ground.
Best in cooler climates is a heat pump , but for you folks in warm areas, the black pipe is a given.
Do not make it complicated and do not use automatic valves etc. Switch by hand.
hermit
02/11/2011 13:24 PM
Exactly, those pvc pipes have been tried out years ago, and found to work quite well.
Ya Think
02/11/2011 11:27 AM
"A system capable... will run into tens of thousands of dollars. This assumes you're a homeowner." Brilliant. Like I'm gonna spend tens of thousands of dollars on an apartment.
Jim
02/12/2011 03:08 AM
No. No. No. use polyethylene black pipe at a low circulation rate. will transfer heat and virtually never wear out. 0.5 to 1.0 gpm
SandyBeachSurfer
02/11/2011 16:05 PM
You quoted that "This assumes you're a homeowner", then you criticized the article because you're an apartment renter. What the heck is your point?
Janet
09/02/2010 23:54 PM
Great article. Love the insight. And the comments
We owe it to mother earth
P.S. I just wrote one too Solar Cell Home
Bruce
08/21/2010 18:03 PM
I have a very keen interest in this space.
In fact, I have recently posted an article that speaks to this.
Check it out here:
The Basics of Homemade Electricity
Thanks,
Bruce
Griff
07/22/2010 17:15 PM
I googled 99 cent solar panels to see what blue7053 might be talking about, and all I could come up with is the technology created at nanosolar. It's is a type of paint application of the photovoltaic cells, making it very cheap. It is currently being sold to POWER PLANTS, and I found no indication that a home installation or DIY version of the product was available. It is specifically being labeled as 99 cents/ watt though, so I think this might be where the mistaken info came.... More
phillip
05/14/2010 13:54 PM
i built a solar water heater and i love it, its really a pre heater that feeds solar heated water into my electric water heater.It saves me about $50 monthly on average.
PathAcross
05/10/2010 15:29 PM
Go to http://www.builditsolar.com for DIY solar projects that don't cost an arm and a leg. There is also the Beer Can Solar Heater (google it and Youtube it): materials cost around $300.
Guest
04/30/2010 14:47 PM
Where are these sold? Most are much much much more expensive, and none of that includes the charge controller, inverter, storage batteries, etc.
macdad
04/29/2010 01:47 AM
My dad's home was built in 1976-77 and used roof-mounted solar heater panels to provide warm water for the swimming pool.
blue7053
04/28/2010 16:04 PM
Solar panels are selling for $.99 cents a watt:
(1) 3 panels are enough to run your lights, TV, fans, chargers, (2) about one of your fuse blocks; just run things one at a time.
(3) a 12 volt solar pump to circulate water through your solar water heater (2 coils of PVC hose, $40)
(4) a tank in the basement filled with water and rocks (circulate air through it in the summer (air conditioning)
(5) again in the winter (heating) Goggle: Seasonal Energy Storage
(6) window.... More
Daryl
02/11/2011 13:17 PM
Only if you have sun light and tracking panels that follow it all day. Clouds stop all solar panel charging.
Bob
02/11/2011 15:07 PM
They will still produce some charge even with ambient light. I personally have 8 KW of high efficient Sanyo panels. Whether cloudy or when the sun has completely passed by them they still produce some electric. I can see it on the meter and on the software installed to monitor the system
Daryl
02/11/2011 13:17 PM
Only if you have sun light and tracking panels that follow it all day. Clouds stop all solar panel charging.
Brad1
04/28/2010 01:05 AM
I was at Costco today and saw each of the items listed here on sale there. Is there any relationship between the author and that august and entirely above reproach institution?
Ray
04/27/2010 22:13 PM
Search Youtube for pop can solar, all you need to know how to build collectors for room heating. One using gutters with the cans tested out an out put of over 200 degrees F with full sun, fall temps. Free heat!
Robert
04/27/2010 18:28 PM
How about simple solar heaters either on the outside of the home and ducted inside or installed in windows facing the South? Last year I had heaters in 5 of my 7 south facing windows. The help a lot! I have not settled on a design but have a couple that are strong.
First is a 4 or 5 inch deep box that stands as tall as will fit in your window and about as wide. Plywood back, Inside of box painted black, some kind of defusers to disrupt the air flow and a clear plastic face. You put a.... More
NeWazner
02/11/2011 13:23 PM
I have done something similar with mine. The downside is I live in an area that doesn't get a lot of sun. However, I have found the tube versions of the panels to work the best. The curve of the tube(s) allows for more exposed surface area in a given space. Also, a small fan to help move the air vs relying on convective air movement helps too.
SunRun_Nami
04/26/2010 18:48 PM
Great list of different ways you can tap into solar for less than $500, but one thing you left off your list is leasing or renting a home solar system. I work at SunRun, the nation's largest home solar financing company, and the way we work is that we own and maintain your home solar system, and you simply pay for the solar electricity. We install and buy your system, so you can get solar for as low as $0 (we operate in CA, AZ, CO, MA, and NJ currently), and we also take complete care of your.... More
