Featured Member:
J.D. Hoss Hardwoods and Carpet
Gold Members:
Sons Development & Green Building Supplies
|
Solar Appliances
Build A Homemade Solar Hot Water Collector
In order for solar technology to be accepted, it must be affordable . . . but while many manufacturers go to great lengths to develop well-designed, functional products, they often fall short of achieving even tolerable cost-effectiveness.
Part of the problem is that a sizable portion of production cost lies in assembly. Many solar enthusiasts are circumventing that built-in thorn by fabricating their own system components, most notably the collector panels.
Understandably enough, though, not all of us have the skills - or the time and inclination - required to design and construct a state-of-the-art solar collector from scratch. However, kit assembly is within the realm of even a novice do-it-yourselfer . . . and, by presenting our experiences with a typical piece-together panel, we'll give you the chance to decide whether this alternative is your cup of tea.
click here |
How To Build & Use a Solar Still
Ninety years ago, mine owners in the high country of Chile were faced with the problem of providing drinking water for their workers. The only available supply was unfit to drink, and so a means of purifying the liquid had to be found. Amazingly, the solution was a sun-operated distilling plant in which a large area of glassed-over wooden frames evaporated the contaminated water, recondensed it . . . and thus produced as much as 6,000 gallons of fresh water in a day!
This solar still used no fuel or power except that from the sun's rays and was thus able to provide pure water at a cost unmatched by any other means of distillation. Oddly, the method was forgotten in the intervening years and fueloperated stills were used whenever it was necessary to convert salty-or otherwise undrinkable water-to fresh.
click here |
Solar Food Dehydrator
Made from two cardboard boxes, some clear plastic wrap, and a little tape. You can build a nearly free solar dehydrator. Set it on a stool or chair and face it's solar collector towards the sun, and you have a functional food preservation machine for little work and even less money.
Solar Food Dehydrator |
| |
|
|
