DIY Solar Projects for Beginners: Small and Easy Projects to Whole-Home Systems That Use the Sun

by Eric Smith

Learn how to make your own solar-powered appliances and additions to your home with clear step-by-step instructions. 

Put the sun to work in your home with this updated and abridged version of the best-selling book, DIY Solar Projects. Similar to the previous edition, this new version offers small-scale, achievable solar projects that homeowners can build and install themselves. From cooking in solar ovens, to mounting solar panels on your roof, this book teaches how to take advantage of solar energy. It’s all possible with relatively small investments and minimal DIY building experience.

You’ll learn how to

Solar ovenSolar-powered security lightSolar water heaterSolar hot-air collector window mount
With clear instructions, tips, and step-by-step color photos for each project, this book takes the intimidation out of DIY solar builds. For those with more ambitious solar power plans, this updated edition contains information on outfitting your home with solar electricity collection systems and integrating them into your primary power supply system. Excitement about home solar energy is exploding, and DIY Solar Projects for Beginners sheds light on how you can get involved immediately.

This book also offers an extensive resource guide with links to tax-reducing, subsidy, and support programs on both a national and state-by-state level. With high energy costs and an environment that demands cleaner fuel sources, now is the time to introduce new, cost-saving solar projects into your home.

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Eric Smith was born the fifth of six children. He served a full-time English-speaking mission from 2000-2002 in what was then the Illinois Chicago North Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He studied English and earth science education in Rexburg, Idaho, at BYU-Idaho, particularly enjoying and excelling in geology, editing, and English and early-American literature. He earned his teaching certificate and a bachelor of science degree in 2007. He enjoys writing imaginative, critical, and biographical pieces. Some of his favorite books include "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray." In addition to writing and speaking, Eric enjoys tech, superhero lore, folf, firearms, and film, particularly those made by Christopher Nolan and those starring Jimmy Stewart.