DIY Solar Setup for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you a beginner looking to build your own DIY solar setup? This blog post will walk you through a simple, step-by-step process to assemble a basic solar system that anyone can perform. We'll provide a high-level overview of the components involved and the tools needed without overwhelming you with technical jargon. By learning how to build your own solar setup, you'll be able to customize your system, modify it as your needs change, and develop an important skill set.

SOLAR DIY, TIPS & TRICKS

D. DePaola

5/1/20232 min read

Step 1: Connecting Charge Controller to Battery

Before connecting the solar panels, it's essential to connect the charge controller to the battery. This step ensures that the energy from the solar panels is regulated before being stored in the batteries. You'll need a small Phillips screwdriver and cables to connect the charge controller to the battery. Follow these instructions:

Locate the charge controller terminals marked "BAT+" and "BAT-"
Connect the stripped ends of the cables to the charge controller terminals
Tighten the screws to ensure the cables are secure
Connect the other ends of the cables to the battery, ensuring the correct positive and negative connections

Step 2: Connecting Charge Controller to Solar Panel

Next, you'll connect the solar panel to the charge controller. You'll need a 100-watt solar panel and extension cables with MC4 connectors. Follow these steps:

Connect the extension cables to the solar panel cables, ensuring the correct positive and negative connections
Insert the stripped ends of the cables into the charge controller terminals marked "PV+" and "PV-"
Tighten the screws to secure the cables
Place the solar panel in the sun to test the connection and confirm that the battery is charging

Step 3: Connecting Battery to Inverter

The final step is connecting the battery to an inverter, which converts the stored energy into usable electricity for your appliances and devices. Disconnect the solar panel and charge controller from the battery before proceeding. You'll need an inverter, inverter cables, a fuse, and a small Phillips screwdriver. Follow these steps:

Connect the inverter cables to the inverter's positive and negative posts
Install a fuse on the positive inverter cable
Connect the negative inverter cable to the battery's negative terminal
Connect the positive inverter cable (with the fuse) to the battery's positive terminal
Test your setup by turning on the inverter and plugging in a device

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you'll have successfully built a basic DIY solar setup. This solar system will allow you to harvest power from the sun, store it in a battery, and use it to power your appliances and devices. With this knowledge and skill set, you'll be able to customize and modify your solar setup as your needs change over time.

Original video by City Prepping

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What you need

Inverter (1000W): Click Here
Charge Controller (40A): Click Here
Solar Panel (100W) : Click Here
Battery (100ah w/BT): Click Here
Fuse: Click Here
Fuse Cable: Click Here
Battery Inverter Cables: Click Here
Panel Extension Cable (2)