Therefore, solar DIY is definitely something to think about if you live in a warm climate.Would you like to cut your power costs? Home solar will definitely reduce the amount of energy you are contributing to the environment. Solar DIY instruction guides are available at all levels and commonly include the construction of solar panels, also known as photovoltaic technology to create energy you can store and use for household appliances.

Any solar is good solar! If you have the technical skills, there is no reason not to give it a try. However, DIY solar thermal is much more simple than solar electric. First, the incentives are only available for grid tied systems and panels usually come with a warranty that may only be available with professional installation. DIY is always worth considering but because the specific placement of the panels has a great deal to do with their efficiency, its usually worthwhile to speak with a pro.

With a solar DIY kit you can build a solar generator, which is what powers your electrical appliances using solar energy. Special cells are used to store generated electrical energy for future use should you choose to go that far into your project, but it does take the learning curve to the next level. So, you can light your home even after the sunset. By the way, they are emission free which means they emit no gas or pollution of any kind.

With a solar DIY kit you can save a significant amount of money on your initial investment. How much you save all depends on you. Going as far as buying components and building you your own will help you to understand the intricacies of how the system works and how to you may make them better and more efficient in the future. While there are many who have no trouble, we are sure that there are a few, just like us, that will need a little help. Do not let that part of the unknown discourage you.

With a solar DIY kit you can save a significant amount of money on your initial investment. How much you save all depends on you. Going as far as buying components and building you your own will help you to understand the intricacies of how the system works and how to you may make them better and more efficient in the future. While there are many who have no trouble, we are sure that there are a few, just like us, that will need a little help. Do not let that part of the unknown discourage you.

Using my solar DIY kit I initially built a mini solar system to generate enough power for my light bulb and it worked just fine. Later, I went ahead and build a bigger one and started to see some savings on my energy bills. Gradually you will see lower and lower bills. You can save up to 80% of the electricity bill by using solar energy. This can not be a bad thing for your wallet or your families budget.

Solar DIY panels use two different silicon layers to convert light into energy. The first n-type silicon layer uses light plus energy to create electrons, which increase in energy and travel through the holes of this layer onto the p-type layer, allowing the electric current to capture and convert light into electricity.

What most people don’t know is that most of the electricity in major industrial countries like the U.S. comes from power plants that burn …..you guessed it…..COAL.Burning the coal drives the turbines that generate the electricity you use when you turn on the light switch in your living room, or run your electric air conditioner, or use anything in your home that requires electricity.

Building your own solar hot water panels collectors is a breeze. The technology is simple and easy to understand if you have the basics. Tinker your own DIY solar into new savings.

If you are thinking of doing a few upgrades to your garden, have you ever thought of getting a solar powered pump birdbath? In fact, why buy one, when you can make it?

So why would you want to make a solar powered pump birdbath?

The pros to getting one are:

a: Fountains circulate the water, keeping the bird bath from going stagnant

b: The pump does not have to plugged into your power supply

c: The pump runs on DC power, so no inverter is needed.

d: It requires little power (about 6 volts) so you only need a few small solar panels.

e: No batteries are required, since the pump only really needs to operate during the day when the sun is out and the birds are in the garden.

f: You could learn to make your own solar panels, reducing the cost even further.

g: The birdbath can be placed anywhere in your garden, without the need for unsightly wires.

So, what do you need to make your own solar powered pump fountain?

The most basic method is to buy a working birdbath with fountain, and then wire up the solar panels.

The cheaper, more labor intensive approach would be to get a birdbath with the right holes drilled for the fountain to be installed. And then add on the pump, fountain attachment, irrigation and power supply.

If you want to save money, and build your own system, then you will need:

The Birdbath:

Here you have a choice of cascading fountains, copper fountains, terracotta birdbaths, resin fountains, or the conventional ceramic birdbath. Just make sure a pump system can be installed on the birdbath.

The Water Spout:

This is optional, but it makes the water spout out the top, instead of just trickling out. It can be found at your local nursery or hardware store.

Small Fountain Pump:

The next part is buying the small dc pump. A typical 6 volt pump should be adequate, but you may need to go bigger, if the birdbath or water feature is larger than normal.

Tubing for irrigation:

When buying the irrigation for the fountain, it is best not to get piping that is too wide, otherwise the right water pressure will not be maintained and the pump will not work properly. So before you buy the wrong tubing, get advice from your local garden center and see what they use in similarly sized birdbaths

Silicon Sealant:

Silicon sealant helps fill any cracks where water could escape, such as where the tubing enters the top of the birdbath. It can also be used to insulate any bare wires.

Solar Panels:

This is what makes this birdbath unique to your average water fountain. Depending on what size pump you buy, will need to get enough solar panels for the fountain to work properly. A a typical 6 volt pump, you will require solar panels with a capacity of at least 6 volts. But is better to be on the safe side and get a 12 volt solar panel instead, for times when it is cloudy and for late afternoons.

NB: You have 2 alternatives for the solar panels:

1 : Buy a small commercial portable solar power kit from a department store such as Target.

2: Make your own solar panel. This is actually much easier than people make it out to be. With the right instructions you could build your own panel in an afternoon. If you want to go the diy way, then keep reading…

To get the maximum sunlight, the solar panels need to be fixed in simple frame, and be south-facing (if you are in the northern hemisphere).

How simple is it to build?

With the right tools and parts and a the right attitude you could have a fully functional solar powered pump birdbath in an afternoons work. It really depends on your level of experience, but many of our friends (even housewives) have managed to make their own fountains.

A nice added extra is to hook up some batteries to the system. That way you can store any excess power, and the pump could run all day and night. If you do want the fountain to operate for 24 hours, then you will need the following:

1) Deep cycle battery:

Because the pump is only 6 volts, a 12 volt battery is more than enough. It should be a deep cycle battery (car battery) that can store the power for a longer time.

Solar charge controller:

It is not vital , but if you want the battery to last longer, a charge controller will protect the battery from over-charging. It is wired from the solar panels and then to the battery.

Over and above it being affordable to build, what I like about putting together my own solar powered pump birdbath, is that once the first one is finished, making the second or third one just gets easier. It could even be a fantastic gift for a close friend or newly wed.