This is a description of a small, basic solar PV power system for my shed and ham shack. The system is comprises a home made solar panel and charge controller and can be adapted to fit your needs and is within the capability of most do-it-yourselfers'.

The ice storm of the century in the Ottawa-Montreal area knocked out power to 500,000 homes. My mother's house was without power for 21 straight days. She lives in a rural area and has a sump pump to remove water from the basement. Needless to say, we had to be creative to keep the sump pump going. Luckily she already had a wood stove to heat the house.

Ever since then, alternative energy is a side hobby of mine. I just get a kick out of how the sun can create electricity and how powerful the wind really is. I had to run extensions to the shed every time I wanted to work, so I applied these principles and built a small system to try it out. I was pleasantly surprised as to how easy it was.

I would like to thank the people at Home Power Magazine for many of the ideas in this web page and for keeping the solar energy bug going.

View of the prototype solar panel. Version 1 (V1) is made on a wooden frame painted with epoxy based paint. Version 2 (V2) will be made on an aluminum frame--one of these days.

View of the charge controller and fuse box

© Tony Ratajczak 2002-2006