{"id":6288,"date":"2018-06-29T09:51:17","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T09:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.portal.solar.com\/learn\/diy-soda-can-solar-thermal-panels\/"},"modified":"2019-09-06T22:17:54","modified_gmt":"2019-09-06T22:17:54","slug":"diy-soda-can-solar-thermal-panels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solar.com\/learn\/diy-soda-can-solar-thermal-panels\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Soda Can Solar Thermal Panels"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Are you inclined to tinker on backyard projects? Is it something you’re curious about? Here’s a fun DIY solar project (featuring soda cans) that might be right up your alley.<\/p>\n

Having a PV solar system<\/a> installed is the easiest and most efficient way to get solar electricity. But if you like the feeling of building something from scratch, you might enjoy this hands-on approach to generating heat with a homemade solar thermal panel.<\/p>\n

People heat their small home office or workshop with these DIY soda can panels. Using aluminum soda and beer cans, you can actively recycle and create a panel capable of heating air. Here’s how it’s done.\n<\/p>\n

Assembly of DIY Home Solar Thermal Panels<\/h2>\n

The top of each can is cut off with a can opener or a hole saw. Then a star is cut into the opposite end of each cleaned, dried can. This creates choppy airflow through the cans, which collects more heat within the warm wall of pop cans.<\/p>\n

Create that wall by gluing the cans together, stacked one on top of the other. You’ll need a silicone adhesive that’s resistant to temperatures at least up to 200°C\/400°F.<\/p>\n

Paint and Install Your Hot Wall of Solar Cans<\/h2>\n

Next, make a wood or metal frame to hold your makeshift solar panel cells (soda cans) in place. The back side of your DIY panel can be wood or metal. Spray paint the frame, back panel and cans black. This is to help them absorb and conduct heat better.<\/p>\n

You’ll need a large sheet of glass for the front. Seal the glass cover onto the frame and connect it to an air intake and an exhaust tube, filling any gaps around the edges with adhesive tape or heat-resistant silicone.<\/p>\n

The exhaust fan will extract the cold air from the room, which is pumped into the solar panel where it’s heated up in the small, black greenhouse. The warm air is pumped back into the room through the second pump.<\/p>\n

Attach hooks or a hinge onto the back of your solar panel. This way it can more easily attach to a south-facing wall or rooftop and you can adjust for maximum sunshine.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons of Home Solar Thermal Pop Bottle Panels<\/h2>\n

PROS:<\/p>\n