GreenDIYenergy Review

Reviewer: Mike Roberts

Rating:

Reviewed: GreenDIYenergy Solar Energy Kit

I have examined the latest do-it-yourself solar energy guide from GreenDIYenergy, and have found it to be very impressive. It is probably the best product of its type on the market at present.

The GreenDIYenergy kit includes 6 videos that cover, clearly and in good detail, the following topics:

Safety
Tools, test instruments and materials
Basic soldering techniques
Frame construction
Individual PV cell assembly
PV cell strings connection and backing plate attachment
Final assembly and testing

Click here for the GreenDIYenergy Solar Energy Kit

Accompanying these videos are several manuals that cover the video topics and also some other aspects of solar power that you might find interesting, such as:

• Basics of passive solar heating design
• Grid-tied and off-grid systems
• Sources of free materials (including free solar panels)
• Maintenance
• Sizing and electrical power calculation sheets
• Electrical component selection
• Siting considerations
• Solar panel installation (roof racks, vertical supports, wiring and conduits
• Planning regulations and inspection criteria
• Basic details of tax credits and rebates available in the US, Canada and many other countries

With these videos and instruction manuals you will be able to design and make one or more solar panels easily and safely. The videos in particular will give a beginner the confidence to tackle this project, because they show how easy and straightforward it is to put together an array of solar panels, mount the panels properly to get maximum solar insolation for the available site, and how to connect everything up.

While it is shown to be possible to make a 75 watt solar panel for under $200, there are full details of the various other components needed to make the system work properly in either DC or AC mode. These include charge controllers, inverters, meters, batteries and the all-important wiring. The option of fitting a back-up generator for those cloudy days is also discussed.

Something that is not always included in many of the DIY solar panel guides is the subject of protection from possible lightning strikes. This is fully covered in the GreenDIYenergy kit.

There is also an online shop for buying all materials needed, although I was unable to access this yet. Perhaps the site is still being developed. I certainly hope so, because I think that an online shop is an excellent idea for all those customers living in remote areas – the ones most likely to be making off-grid-living projects like solar panels.

The kit includes full details about how to make a wind turbine as well, which cover the following:

• how wind energy is produced
• components of a wind generator
• how to buy or build a wind turbine
• controllers, batteries, inverters and disconnects
• step-by-step plans

GreenDIYenergy is a company that prides itself on its good customer support system, and I can confirm that it has every reason to be proud. Every question or comment that I have had with them has received a quick and enthusiastic response.

I note that the product comes with a good guarantee that has a full, no hassle refund policy. I have not tested this myself but it seems to be straightforward and very fair.

Overall a very good product, and one that I strongly recommend for anyone planning to make his or her own solar or wind energy system.

Click here for the GreenDIYenergy Solar Energy Kit

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