Renewable energy sources or non-renewable energy sources; the idea is to save as much as possible. The Energy Crisis has broken our backs and we really don’t have an obvious way out. So how about generating your own electricity from today?

You might be tempted to ask how that is possible. Well! We can satiate your curiosity. Just walk with us. Don’t look for harnessing the wind or water or any such source. Just make your own solar panel. We claim it’s too easy to build. Don’t say we hadn’t told you.

We will look to heat water and not producing electricity. So lo and behold! Let’s make a panel which will lock sun’s energy in a container.

A Solar Panel has 4 key components:

- Thick glass or Perspex
- 2×4 wood
- Thick plywood board
- Reflective radiator (for insulation)

Assembling a solar panel is no tough task. Just begin with choosing the size of container. Now this does not need you to have a Mensal IQ. All you need to know is what volume of water you are looking to heat. The central idea would be to soak high degree of heat and let the minimal degree escape. Now this is no rocket science either.

Use a thick front face. Glass or Perspex is ideal. It gives adequate green house effect. Remember the monster greenhouse gases, does it ring a bell. Glass would require frames for keeping it tightly positioned.

Drill holes on top and bottom of container for water conduits. Sounds simple and it is simple to execute too. Now thick glass is good at absorbing but we need the inner lining to be marked by something that can insulate and not let the heat pass. Tin foil is a nice option. Even nicer option is a reflective radiator.

Equipment listBacking-board
- Thermometer
- Nuts and bolts
- Screwdrivers
- Frames
- Cutting tools
- Flame weld
- Driller
- Beer

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This “How to Make a Solar Panel” article will not be enough – as you will need schematics/blueprints. However it was intended as a little booster push in the right direction. Schematics/Blueprints are available over the internet. Efficient Planet is a great manual, and you can read my review of it here. It is replete with great step by step instruction.

Use thermometers or else you will have to be very circumspect. Sometimes water reaches very high levels of temperatures that can cause real skin burns. Now don’t start imagining all that.

Well – I hope this short & sweet How to Make a Solar Panel article has inspired you to do a bit of research one probably one of the more fun DIY projects.

Solar power has a diverse portfolio, among powering cars, small boats, and homes – you can use it to cook your own food.

Although the “How to Make a Solar Oven” idea seems complicated to most, this task is not as hard as perceived.

Homemade Solar Ovens will probably interest campers and tree huggers the most. If you are reading this and thinking “Propage Gas Rulezz!11″ this article is probably not for you.

Here’s a list of materials you’ll need:

A box (Cardboard is perfect) – Pizza Boxes work
Black Construction Paper
Aluminium Foil
Plastic Wrap
Non-Toxic Tape
Pen Knife
Scissors

Now this is relatively simple. Here are the steps:

1. Cut out a roof in your box.

2. Coat all the inner sides of your box (except the bottom) with aluminium foil. You can tape it down or fold it over the sides. (2) In Diagram Below.

3. Create a relatively thick coating on the bottom of the box with black construction paper. This will absorb the head. (1) In Diagram Below.

4. And finally (after you’ve put in some food) cover the roof with a transparent plastic wrap – this will allow light energy to enter and prevent heat from escaping.

Now – This may not cook well depending on how you built your homemade solar oven. But since this is a “How to Make a Solar Oven” Instruction guide, I’ll help you out.

Tips to further improve your Homemade Solar Oven.

Insulate it – Anyway you can. Put the box inside a bigger box and throw newspaper in the sides.

Spray the box black (careful, spray paint is toxic – don’t want that in your food, allow it to dry 24 hours)

Make a reflector with some aluminium foil and point it towards your box, make sure it doesn’t block too much sunlight that would’ve hit the box in the first place!

Place the box under direct sunlight (the kind that is overhead)

Try to keep the box of the ground by using rocks, sticks, pegs, whatever on each side of the box.

Well that’s about it. I’ll update this as often as I see fit.

Hope you liked it! Peace,

JP