Solar Power System

HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN SOLAR GENERATOR (3 EASY STEPS)

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It will interest you to know that solar is not just for rooftops. There are so many ways in which the energy from the sun can be harnessed to soothe your needs. One of them is by using a solar generator.

WHAT IS A SOLAR GENERATOR?

A solar generator is a power source that uses energy from the sun to produce voltage. They are used to supply power to other machines or power grids.

A solar energy harnessing device most times cannot stand on their own, owing to the fact that power cannot be supplied instantaneously. A battery or another energy device has to be used.

a solar generator
A TYPICAL IMAGE OF A HOME MADE SOLAR GENERATOR

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER USING A SOLAR GENERATOR

Owning a solar generator in your home comes with many benefits when compared to using generators that make use of fossil fuels.
Some of them include:

  • Free energy from the sun- once you get a solar generator, you will harness energy directly from the sun, rather than purchasing fossil fuels.
  • Low maintenance cost- once installed, the cost of maintenance is very low.
  • Clean and quiet operation- it does not pollute the environment because it does not contain carbon dioxide.
  • A Solar generator also operates silently without generating noise.

Now it might interest you to know that you can build your own generator. In case you are already considering to try it out.

Here are some components that make up a good solar generator.
Components of a solar generator.

SOLAR PANEL

Getting the right solar panel is very important. Solar panels are used to absorb energy from the sun, which is in turn supplied to the battery. At this point, an inverter converts it to electricity. This makes solar panels one of the key components to building a good solar generator. It is very necessary for you to get the one of high quality, which can withstand any weather or environment because it is the most seen of all the components.

A GOOD BATTERY

After harnessing solar energy using your solar panel, the energy has to be stored using a battery. Now the choice of battery depends on the quantity of energy you want to store. While making this choice, consider the things you want to power with your solar generator and the required kilowatt. You can then select your battery based on the information.

A BATTERY BOX

Since the solar generator is going to be mostly outside, it is left for you to determine if you want to protect your battery with a battery box. Battery box can be made using locking plastic cases, hard camera cases, or any other sealed container which is weather resistant.

A CHARGE CONTROLLER

A charge controller is use to monitor charge and discharge rate of a battery. Overcharging usually wears out the battery. So getting a charge controller will help you prevent overcharging.

INVERTER

An Inverter is highly needed as it is going to convert the power already stored in your battery to AC power so that you can then use it to power your appliances. Without an inverter, the energy stored in the battery cannot be put to use.

A 12V DC METER

Getting a 12V DC meter will help you know the amount of energy your solar generator has stored. This helps you to know when the energy is enough for you to use it and power your electronics.

Now after acquiring all the parts needed to build your solar generator, I will give you a step by step instructions on how to put it to good use.

STEP BY STEP WAYS TO BUILD A SOLAR GENERATOR (3 EASY STEPS)

Step 1- prepare the outside of the box

Having your battery or camera case, decide where you want the DC meter to be placed. While taking this decision, there are a few things you need to consider.

First, check how you want the battery box to sit when being used. Try to layout the DC meter in a place it will be very easy to read. This is to enable you to access it quickly when you want to read it.

A HOME MADE SOLAR GENERATOR
HOME MADE SOLAR GENERATOR COMES IN DIFFERENT FORMS, YOUR CHOICE SERVES YOUR BEST

Also take into account how chargers, plugs and other appliance accessories will layout next to each other while installing your outlets. If there is a commonly used appliance with a large plug, it is important that you separate it from other close outlets.

Second, consider how everything will mount inside your box, and create adequate space. This is to make sure you don’t start dismantling when you find out that there is no much space for other appliances. Once all this is in place, you can now start drilling and installing your outlets and DC meters

Step 2- connecting the electrical components

Having the outlets and DC meter in place, you can now place the battery in the battery box. With the use of insulated wires, connect the DC meter to the terminal in your battery. While doing this, the negative terminal should be connected before the positive terminal.

After this, connect the outlets to the battery, with the negative coming before the positive. Make sure that all the connections are tight and secure. Because if it is not tight, you might not get the proper readings. Once this is done, you can now connect your solar panel to the battery.

This can be done in 2 ways depending on whether the connection is temporal or permanent.

For a temporal connection, you can use quick-connect plugs to easily plug in your solar panel, either to the front or rear of the battery box.
For a permanent connection, your solar panel can be connected straight to the battery.

After this connection of solar panels, your solar generator is ready for use. You can now test it to see what you have done.

Step 3- testing out the solar generator

The last and final step is to place your solar generator where your solar panel can get a lot of Sun and then test it out. If your solar panel wires are long, you can set the panel out in the sun, and place the battery box where it will not be exposed to the elements.

This is because it is only the solar panel that needs sun. Now set the solar panel in direct sunlight and check your DC meter. When this is done, you will notice that you are drawing energy into your solar generator. If this is reading correctly, leave your solar panel outside for a few hours in order to get the battery charged to its capacity.

Now that you have your generator all charged up, you can use it to power your electrical appliances. Take the appliance that you want to charge and plug it into the correct receptacle.

Once you do this, your device will start charging. You can monitor it to check how long it takes and how much electricity you have left after charging.

CONCLUSION

These days when electricity from other sources costs much, having a solar generator power your electrical appliances is one affordable necessity you don’t have to miss.

With my knowledge of the solar power system, I can help make this a reality for you. You may not understand the concepts of building and installing the solar generator but you don’t have to because I am here to help you with that.

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One Reply to “HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN SOLAR GENERATOR (3 EASY STEPS)”

  1. is highly educating and motivating here. I’ll like to learn more about installation of solar electricity . I’ll like to be one of solar electricity engineering. thanks

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