Category Archives: solar

Using a BIG CAP to charge and run a pump from solar power

I had to look at the circuit to figure out what is going on, basically the solar panel changes the cap til it hits a certain point which the motor engages and then went its low, charges again..i think. Its … Continue reading

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A solar cell printer

Why can’t Xerox make something like this?  Apparently a University in Australia have made a printer that can print rolls of solar cells.  Very interest concept and could be used to customize a solar panel.  Heck it could even be … Continue reading

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How to solder solar cells

OK so you got this great deal on ebay….now what.  Well here is a nice write-up on how to solder a bunch of cells together.  Of course these are whole cells this guy is using (not broken ones).  But you … Continue reading

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Homemade Solar Hotwater heater

Another nice write-up on how to make a solar hotwater heater from scratch.  I think this might be something worth scaling down and putting in a kids playhouse for hot water. http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Solar-Water-Heater-forced-circulation-wit/

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Make a solar LED Lamp post

Not too bad of a write-up, and instead of “buying” a lamp, maybe we could “reuse” an old lamp.  Only other downside is the total cost for this could be around $50-80 dollars….given this solution is mroe robust than som … Continue reading

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Researchers make a solar cell sticker

Well really the figured out a well to get cells to stick to just about anything…Hum….I see solar powered kids stickers with LED’s in them in the future. http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/12/researchers-develop-adhesive-solar-cells-that-can-stick-to-any-surface/?utm_source=mainrss  

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Solar Powered Raspberry PI ftp server

Nice build (I like the 3D printed case too), however I have doubts about the solar panel involved being able to power the R-PI constantly…unless, some power-saver bits where added in.  Something to keep in mind for folks moving stuff … Continue reading

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Crowdsource solar installs

If I read the article right, the company is going to use the money to install solar panels on buildings, then give revenue from those panels back to the investors…sounds interesting http://inhabitat.com/the-people-have-spoken-solar-mosaic-funds-3-projects-in-1-day-through-crowd-funding/

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How to Solar Power a Raspberry Pi

Another nice bit about the Raspberry Pi is they use little juice, so makes builds like this possible. http://blog.makezine.com/2012/12/11/how-to-solar-powered-raspberry-pi-ftp-server/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+makezineonline+%28MAKE%29

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$3 dollar Emergancy Radio

Nice build with all dollar store parts.  Me, I spent the extra $7 and got a cheap hand crank one. http://www.instructables.com/id/3-Emergency-Solar-Radio/

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