Assembling a Solar Generator

This 126-page textbook includes the following chapters:

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

CHAPTER 3: ENERGY EFFICIENCY

CHAPTER 4: GENERATOR PARTS

CHAPTER 5: SELECTING THE INVERTER

CHAPTER 6: THE BATTERY BANK

CHAPTER 7: THE SOLAR PANELS

CHAPTER 8: THE CHARGE CONTROLLER

CHAPTER 9: WIRING THE GENERATOR

CHAPTER 10: SAFETY

CHAPTER 11: ASSEMBLING A SOLAR GENERATOR

CHAPTER 12: A PICTURE IS WORTH 1,000 WORDS

CHAPTER 13: MAINTENANCE

CHAPTER 14: TROUBLESHOOTING

FIGURES & TABLES

INDEX

You will learn how to pick the right charge controller. How and why you would select a certain size inverter (and what the heck is it), getting the right solar panel, sizing your battery. We also walk you through the wiring system, letting you know how to safely select the proper type and size of wire and fuses, and how to connect everything together.

And if that's not enough, we even take a pictorial walk through a "real world" example. Listing all the parts, giving you prices and where to buy them (this 400-watt generator can be built for less than $300), then showing each step in its construction.

The narrative is personal, simple, non-technical and easy to follow. A perfect project for a DIY enthusiast, a science classroom, or anyone who just wants to watch a movie while everyone else sits in the dark.

We also give guidelines on how to design and build a larger system capable of:

running your furnace for several days when the power goes out in the winter

running a sump pump to keep your basement from flooding

keeping your food cold and/or frozen during a prolonged summer power outage

or powering a complete room in your house

Solar generators make little or no noise when running, give off no fumes (so you can use them indoors), and are simple to build and maintain.