If you’ve been wondering how to save energy, check out these fun and easy DIY solar projects for some inspiration. Starting with smaller DIY projects allows you to learn about solar power firsthand – how long it lasts, what works best? and be better prepared to work on more complex solar-powered projects. One photovoltaic cell or solar cell can give you enough power to operate small household items such as a small radio, a cell phone charger, a water fountain, and lights in your shed.

Magnolia Hardware & Supply is ready to answer your questions and help you find the supplies you’ll need. Drop in today!

Solar-Powered Portable Radio

In today’s super-connected world of smartphones, why would you need a portable radio? If you enjoy being outdoors, far from sources of electricity or wi-fi, it’s reassuring to have a portable radio on hand. Enjoy your favorite radio station, and keep informed of sudden changes in the weather. It’s also a good way to reduce your use of batteries.

Powering your radio with the sun is easy! You’ll need a battery-powered radio and a solar panel of equal power. For example, a radio that requires 4 AA batteries at 1.5 volts each will need a 6-volt solar panel.

Materials & Tools

• Solar Panel, 6 Volt with wires and clamps
• Battery-powered radio DC (6 Volt) or one that works with 4 AA batteries
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Open the radio’s battery compartment. Note that the negative end has a spring, and the positive end has no spring.
2. Connect the solar panel to your radio with the color-coded wires – red for the negative lead and black for the positive lead.
3. Keep your solar panel in the sun to make sure it charges.
4. Now just turn on your radio and enjoy the music!

Solar-Powered Mobile Phone Charger

A solar-powered phone charger can come in handy when you aren’t near an electrical outlet. To make your solar-powered phone charger, you’ll need a small solar panel and a USB charger controller. Connect them to make an eco-friendly, portable charger.

Materials & Tools

• 6V Solar Panel
• 5V Step-Up Inverter USB Charger Circuit (Note: It’s best to use a USB charger circuit that can adapt to the amount of power being supplied to your phone.)
• Phone charger cable
• Soldering iron
• Multi-tool
• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. You’ll need to take apart the USB charger.
2. Clip the wires so they will be easy to fasten to the solar panel.
3. Now solder the charger circuit to the solar panel.
4. Fasten the charger to the solar panel with the hot glue gun.
5. Don’t let the circuit touch the other leads on the panel, and make sure that the USB is not protruding.
6. Place your solar panel in the sun and start charging!

DIY Solar-Powered Water Fountain

Encourage birds, bees, and butterflies to visit your garden by creating a solar-powered water fountain. All you need is a small solar-powered water pump, a container for your fountain, and some river rocks. The running water will add a magical soothing sound to your garden, and will help thirsty animals and birds during the hottest, driest months of summer.

Materials

• Choose the type of container based on the depth and style of your fountain: a shallow plant pot tray or a deeper plant pot. Choose terracotta, sealed concrete, or durable plastic. Make sure the pot has a watertight plug in the bottom to keep the water in.
• River rocks make a great decorative fountain, but you can also use smaller or larger stones.
• Add a finishing touch by planting your favorite plants to frame the fountain.

Instructions

1. Place your fountain container on a level area of your garden. Dig a hole to set it into the ground or place it on a base. Position your solar panel to get maximum sunshine.
2. Put the pump in the saucer or pot, keeping it in place with carefully placed stones.
3. Fill the container with water and be sure to check the water level frequently during dry hot spells to ensure the fountain does not run dry. Refill with water as needed, depending on the weather and temperature in your region.

Clean out your fountain regularly to keep it safe and healthy for the birds and other creatures who stop by to quench their thirst.

Light Up Your Shed with a Solar Panel

A great project for experimenting with solar panels is to add some light to your shed. This is especially helpful if your shed is far from an electrical outlet and you’d rather not run an extension cord across your lawn.

Start with a basic solar panel kit that is easy to install yourself, that includes compatible components, and is best for your area’s climate.

If you want to recharge your tools in your shed, you’ll need a larger battery and controller.

Materials & Tools

• Phillips screwdriver (small and large)
• Wrench (crescent or socket)
• Pliers (needle nose)
• Solar panel
• Cables (3 sets) – energy from the sun and solar panels goes through the cables to the charge controller; another set goes to the controller; a third set goes to the inverter
• Charge controller – regulates the energy from the solar panel
• Battery – charge controller passes energy to the battery
• Inverter – energy from the battery goes to the inverter to convert it into usable energy
• Lights –plug the lights into the inverter

Instructions

1. First, connect the charge controller with cables to the battery, taking care to correctly connect the positive and negative stripped cable ends and tighten them with the screwdriver. The lug ends of the cable are connected to the battery. Connect the negative cable to the negative bolt on the battery, and the positive cable to the positive bolt on the battery.
2. Next, insert the solar panel cables into the controller.
3. Place the solar panel in the sun. Some kits come with an app that lets you view the status of your solar panel and battery on the app once you have set it up.
4. Once you know that the system is working, disconnect all cables and connect the inverter to the battery.
5. Reconnect the converter to the battery.

Now you can use your shed when the sun goes down!

Make the most of sunlight and learn how to use it to power some of your smaller items around the house and property. Stop in to see us soon for more ideas! Our team looks forward to helping you.