
Learn to assemble the solar food dryer, focusing on the collector frame with Sun Stuff clear roofing and 28 gauge sheet steel that converts ultraviolet to infrared heat.
Build the solar collector frame using a wood frame, deck screws, and weatherproof glue; top sheet metal should be flat black to absorb heat, while the bottom rust radiates energy.
Build a base from half-inch plywood with wider side strips to create an air space that moves air above and below, speeding drying, with ribbed roofing and a hinged collector.
Learn to build sturdy drying frames for solar food drying using wood frames, weatherproof glue, and stainless steel food-grade screens sized to the mesh you buy.
Learn to operate a solar food dryer, manage heat with adjustable tilt and dual airflow, prevent condensation in jars, and ensure dry food.
Explore the solar generator overview, detailing the photovoltaic panel, battery, charge controller, and inverter, plus wiring, fuses, and a portable, box-based setup for long-term power security.
Learn safe soldering basics for solar wiring: twist wires, clean oxidation, and apply acid-core solder with a soldering gun, heating the wire until a solid joint forms.
Learn to strip insulation from two wire types—single-conductor wire and multi-conductor cable—for solar generators, using a utility knife or wire strippers, with a focus on stranded conductors.
Explore heat shrink tubing and its two forms—regular shrink tubing and heat-activated sealant tubing—that seal and protect inline joints from moisture in electrical connections.
Discover twist-lock plugs to connect a photovoltaic panel to a portable solar generator, locking securely to prevent disconnection. Learn about male and female versions and three-prong options.
Explore evacuated tube solar collectors that heat water even in subzero days, using a vacuum-insulated two-tube design and circulating water or antifreeze to an insulated tank.
Understand how evacuated tube solar heating collects heat, transfers it through a flat plate heat exchanger, and delivers hot water with insulated pipes and a solar controller.
Install durable insulated pipes for solar hot water with waterproof outer layer, and set up a variable-speed circulator pump with isolation valves for easy maintenance.
Tour a flat plate heat exchanger used in solar heating, highlighting opposing flows for maximum heat transfer and the integral valves and fittings for cleaning and maintenance.
Learn how smart thermostat controls optimize hydraulic solar heating by using outdoor and indoor floor temperature probes to anticipate heat needs and minimize overshoot, delivering smoother room temperatures.
Discover how an outdoor wood boiler heats buildings via insulated underground piping, minimizing heat loss with Pax flex waterproof insulation and a diffusion barrier.
Want to build your own useful solar energy projects? You’ve come to the right place. Learn how with my video course and plans package for building three outstanding solar projects. Each design is simple enough that any handy person can build it, with detailed, field-proven plans that make all the difference. Three build-it-yourself projects in this one course include:
SOLAR GENERATOR: make electricity without fuel or noise.
SOLAR FOOD DRYER: preserve fruits, vegetables and meat without electricity.
SOLAR HEATING: learn to warm your home and domestic hot water.
This course works! Many people around the world are building their own solar energy projects right now using this video course and you can, too!