Residential Solar Search Results

How To: Make a no-ferment, no-smoke thuringer sausage

This is a short video teaching you how to make a no-ferment, no-smoke thuringer sausage using a domestic oven. The process excludes the addition of coarse ground venison to the recipe which works to improve the texture. This clip is concentrated on the mixing and cooking process in a residential environment. Additional comments on pH are included. Stuffing, slicing and packing are touched on lightly using a 9" commercial slicer and residential vacuum sealer. The recipe is available at the end.

How To: Operate the solar powered vent system in a 2010 Toyota Prius

In this tutorial, we learn how to operate the solar powered vent system in a 2010 Prius. Prius models that come with a moon roof also have a solar powered roof. The control switch is on the left hand side of the steering wheel. With the ignition on and the switch turned on, you can exit and allow the ventilation system to start to clean the air out of the car. Since this doesn't rely on power, it will not drain your battery. This is not only eco-friendly, it's also great for your health and c...

How To: Save energy by installing a solar water heater

Saving energy in your home is as easy as pie. There are many areas of the home that you can tackle. One area that can be helpful is the water heater. There are a couple of water heaters that you can use to not only save energy but money. One way is by using an active or passive solar water heating system.

How To: Make a rechargeable, solar-powered USB battery

An emergency battery charger for your mobile phone comes in handy, but it's not the ultimate solution; once it's dead it's useless (what a waste). If you want to really get off the metaphorical grid, you can follow the steps in this video to construct a more robust circuit that will not only bail you out of an inconvenient situation but also recharge in between uses. The simple addition of a low voltage solar panel and rechargeable batteries makes this possible. Enjoy!

How To: Create teenie tiny solar insect robots

Create teenie tiny solar robots with Bre Pettis of Make Magazine. Learn to make little teeny tiny robots called beambots that are powered by the sun! One of the great things about these little solar powered bots is that you can make them from scavenged materials. Use parts from broken electronics and bring them back to life as little robots! If you are not an expert in circuits, you will need books and pdf's to supplement this video.

How To: Fill gaps in brick mortar

It is important that your mortar is not cracked so that animals and insects cannot get in. Also, it can prevent water damage and mold. Greg Lim, a professional handyman and residential property manager, shows you a do-it-yourself method for fixing your brick wall by applying mortar.

How To: Turn a Playing Card into a Super Simple Solar-Powered Battery Charger

You can do a lot more with playing cards than you'd think, like turn them into gift boxes, fling them like throwing stars, and make them levitate or disappear. You can even make them recharge your batteries. Instructables user Shawn Frayne was sick of having a bunch of dead batteries lying around, so he developed a cheap and easy way to always have a charged one within arm's reach by turning a normal playing card into a super simple solar-powered battery charger for rechargeable AA and AAA ba...

How To: Add solar to your home

Each day, more and more people are going "green" and taking the necessary actions to make sure they don't leave a big footprint on the Earth. One way of doing this is by adding solar energy to your home. This is a great way to save money on your energy bill and gives you a good feeling. So in this tutorial, you'll find out what it takes to buy solar panels and how it works in your home. So check out the video above and good luck!

How To: Make a solar powered water heater

Nowadays, people are more aware of what's going in with the world today and are trying to change the way they eat, dispose of trash, etc. This "green" movement is being practiced from people all over the planet and it;s a great way to save on money and be friendlier to planet Earth. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to make a solar powered water heater from scratch. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Install solar window screens

Hub Kirkpatrick teaches the viewers how to save handyman bills by installing solar window screens by yourself. This video describes the step-by-step process of installing solar screens on windows. According to Hub, these screens are not only very easy to install using tools found in everyone's garage, they are also only about one-third of the price of the conventional roll-down screens. In addition, these screens, if properly installed, can drastically reduce air-conditioning bills by prevent...

How To: Install photovoltaic laminates for easy solar power

Installing clean, reliable, inflation-proof solar power is easier than ever thanks to the invention of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) laminates that can be bonded directly onto metal roofing panels. Unlike crystalline PV material, there's no need for obtrusive racks and heavy, expensive glass. Instead, unbreakable thin-film PV is produced using amorphous silicon, encapsulated in Teflon and other polymers. Watch this video to learn how to install PV laminates on your own roof.

How To: Prepare for a solar eclipse

On August 1, 2008 a rare total solar eclipse will appear in the skies over parts of Canada, Greenland, Russia, Mongolia, and China. During this spectacular event, the moon will cross in front of the sun, completely blocking out the sun's disk, and casting a shadow over part of the Earth. While only people in a small area of the world will be able to see the eclipse in person, viewers all across the globe can view the eclipse as it happens on NASA TV.

How To: Make summer sausage using a domestic oven

This video shows you how to make summer sausage, highlighting the stuffing and cooking operations. The mixing of the meat and vacuum packing is not included. In this version, I use a domestic (residential) oven rather than the wood fired masonry unit in the back yard.

How To: Safely lockout electrical disconnects during repairs

This video aimed at electricians, is designed to help employers and employees what is required in the standard that is applied for the control of energy during maintenance and servicing of equipment and machinery. Employers are required by law to develop proper lockout safety procedures and provide proper protection materials and safety training. This video is highly important for any electrician, apprentice or journeyman, because it will help prevent injury… or even death.

How To: Install a 1010TR Solar Powered Attic Fan in your home

Everyone should have an electric fan installed in their attic, but who wants to waste electricity on something like that? That's where the 1010TR Solar Powered Attic Fan from U.S. Sunlight Corporation comes in. If you have just gotten yourself one of these energy saving roof fans, you have two options: professional installation or self-installation. This video will walk you through the steps of installing the solar-powered fan yourself, and for more help, download the official installation in...

How To: Create an electric tool belt

Tim Carter demonstrates the basic tools (pliers, screwdrivers, strippers) you need for residential electrical repairs, as well as a handy little tool-belt pouch that stores all of the tools. Video shows not only how to create your own electricians tool belt but also how to use each individual tool.

News: This Giant Glass Globe Turns Moon and Sunlight into Power—Possibly Even Solar Death Rays!

André Broessel of rawlemon has developed a solar energy generator that can use both sun and moonlight to create usable power. Oh... and it's gorgeous. The device is essentially a huge glass sphere filled with water that uses a ball lens to refract light in a way that increases energy efficiency by 35 percent. It's completely weatherproof and has an optical tracking device, meaning that it can be incorporated into architecture. Here's a concept design of how it could be used to power buildings...

News: Autonomous, Solar-Powered Fijibot Only Lives to Survive Another Day

Aside from being completely adorable, Fijibot is a completely autonomous robot that automatically seeks out light sources to charge his solar-powered battery. He's built from a 1.5 liter Fiji water bottle, packed with an Arduino Uno, 6 volt solar panel, and an Arduino Proto Shield. His other parts are all off-the-shelf gear you could grab at RadioShack, while the wheels are from a discarded RC car. Fijibot isn't a particularly useful robot, but it's still fun to watch him navigate from light ...

How To: Purify Urine for Drinking with an Emergency Solar Still

It’s called Urophagia—the art of consuming urine. There could be any number of reasons for having the desire to drink your own urine (or somebody else’s). There’s the so-called term “urine therapy,” which uses human urine as an alternative medicine. In urine therapy, or uropathy, it’s used therapeutically for various health, healing, and cosmetic purposes. There’s also those people who drink urine as sexual stimulation, where they want to share every part of each other. And then there’s the o...

How To: Secretly record people with your own spy sunglasses

Hack a pair of sunglasses to secretly record audio and video and spend less than $40 in the process with this how-to video. To replicate this hack for yourself, you will need a spy camera and black solar shield sunglasses. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on building your own spy recorder sunglasses, watch this hacking how-to from Kip Kay of Make Magazine.

How To: Use microgeneration to generate power

In this video, we learn how to use microgeneration to generate power. You can start by placing solar panels on your roof which is very easy to get installed. It's not a huge job, it just takes some workers and a meter that is in the house. This will tell you how much power you are getting through the solar panels. Another edition you can have is a panel that will give you hot water, which can save you money on your monthly bills. This will give you confidence in your energy because you are pr...

How To: Live off the grid

PeteMcCormack2 teaches viewers how they can live off the grid! First, you will need shelter, heat and water! And possibly some electricity. You need head so you can use a high efficiency wood stove. You always need to have water so you can use a well or a water pump. Also, for a pump you will need power, you can use solar power for this! You can also use a pressure tank. This way of life does not necessarily cost much and with self installation it will lower the cost also. All you have to do ...