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21 DIY Solar Generators You Can Build At A Fraction Of Cost

A DIY solar generator is a must-have item for survivalists and the average Joe alike. Situations arise that cause the loss of power, like the recent flooding and fires many parts of the country have been experiencing, and knowing you have an alternative source of electricity will give you peace of mind.

A DIY solar generator is not only good in cases of emergency, it’s also a great item to have on hand for any outdoor adventure. A portable solar generator is great to take along on camping trips, hunting and fishing trips and even for a day at the beach.

Anywhere you want to travel, a homemade generator can provide you enough electricity to power a fan to keep you cool, a heater to keep you warm, charge all your electronics and enough power to keep food cool and cook a meal. Check out our list of the best 21 DIY solar generators that you can build at a fraction of the cost of comparable store bought generators.

1- Inexpensive Solar Generator

For well under $1,000 you can build this 3.5kWh DIY solar generator on youtube that will provide plenty of electricity for your homestead needs.

This detailed YouTube video will show you how to make a solar generator that won’t cost you a lot of money. The building process is quick, simple, and inexpensive and can be completed within one day.

Saving money, time, and reducing the use of natural resources is the goal of a DIY project like this one. A solar generator also runs quietly and cleanly, helping to minimize the noise pollution as well as the air pollution on our planet.

2- Portable Solar Generator

Take the electricity with you with this DIY portable solar generator by motherearthnews. This solar generator and trailer allow you to take 115 volts of electricity anywhere on the homestead it’s needed.

This small solar generator and trailer can easily be pulled behind an ATV, side-by-side, truck, or bicycle. It’s small and lightweight but provides plenty of power for a day of work or play.

Power up your power tools, fan, radio, and coffee pot and be ready for a productive day with this portable solar generator. A camping trip is more comfortable with a portable solar generator like this one so you can have fresh hot coffee in the morning and watch the weather report on your electronic device in the evening.

DIY Solar Generator
Portable Solar Generator, Image via: motherearthnews

3- Free Energy From Solar Generator

More money in your pocket and all the free energy your household needs can be provided by this DIY solar generator by mrmoneymustache. Follow these detailed pictorial instructions and build your own solar powered generator so you can convert your home to solar power and not have to pay a monthly electric bill again.

Free Energy From DIY Solar Generator
Free Energy From DIY Solar Generator, Image via: mrmoneymustache

4- DIY Solar Generator on Wheels

Here we have a bike trailer that is used to make the solar panel easy to transported. The bike trailer makes moving the heavy solar panel easy so you can follow the sun and move from one camp site or work site quickly and easily. Just hook the trailer up to your bike and ride to the next location.

This DIY solar generator by instructables provides enough power to run several power tools, appliances and electronic devices at the same time.

DIY Solar Generator on Wheels
DIY Solar Generator on Wheels, Image via: instructables

5- Pop Up Solar Generator

Easy to build, easy to transport and super easy to set up when you are ready for power. With these free plans, you can design and build a pop up diy solar powered generator by instructables that will meet you specific needs. Great for use at an off grid homestead, camp site or work location. Add on and enlarge the pop up system as needed, fold it up and take it with you when it’s time to move. Simple design produces lots of electrical power.

Pop Up DIY Solar Generator
Pop Up DIY Solar Generator, Image via: instructables

6- Small Scale DIY Solar Generator

This go-anywhere portable solar generator will meet all the electrical needs of those living in an RV or tiny house. Build this DIY solar generator by treehugger and meet all the electrical demands of small space living. All the power needed for a comfortable off-grid lifestyle can be provided by this compact, small scale generator.

Small Scale DIY Solar Generator
Small Scale DIY Solar Generator, Image via: treehugger

7- Camping Comfort Solar Generator

As we know camping in the great outdoors is a fun and rewarding experience. Bonding with family and nature while sleeping under the stars can only be improved by having some creature comforts, like a small refrigerator and a few electronic gadgets. These creature comforts can be powered with this easy to build solar generator by nas-row. Easy to build and easy to take along on a camping trip.

Camping Comfort DIY Solar Generator
Camping Comfort DIY Solar Generator, Image via: nas-row

8- DIY Solar Generator Power Supply

This very simple idea provides an excellent power supply for home or camper- the idea is basically to build a box on wheels that any electrical item can be plugged into and it’s powered by the sun.

This detailed instructions will show you how to do just that. The portability of this diy solar generator by instructables makes it a great choice for taking along on camping trips to inflate air mattresses, power a television and radio and charge various electronics.

DIY Solar Generator Power Supply
DIY Solar Generator Power Supply, Image via: instructables

9- Low-Cost Solar Generator

If you are in the market for a solar generator by campingfunzone and have priced some in the store, you know they don’t come cheap. However, with these detailed instructions you will be able to build a homemade solar generator for under $300.

This is an ideal model to build for emergency usage at home. It’s always good to have a back-up power source when the electricity goes put in bad weather.

Low-Cost DIY Solar Generator
Low-Cost DIY Solar Generator, Image via: campingfunzone

10- 420 Watt DIY Solar Generator

This is a two part instructional video that will show you all the steps needed to build a 420 watt diy solar powered generator by practicalsurvivalist. The second part of video will show you how to hook it up after you have built it. This video takes all the guess-work out of the DIY project and solar generator will provide you with plenty of power or home or camper. You may also like to check out diy windmill generators.

420 Watt DIY Solar Generator
420 Watt DIY Solar Generator, Image via: practicalsurvivalist

11- Power Pack Solar Generator

When you are on the go and need to take the power along with you, this portable power pack is just the thing. Designed to be able to run and charge any type of electronic device or gadget you have, this large power pack is easy to build and cost effective.

Use these step by step instructions to build your own portablesolar panel generator for under $200 by instructables.

Power Pack DIY Solar Generator
Power Pack DIY Solar Generator, Image via: instructables

12- Recycled Solar Generator

These free plans will show you how to take old parts from the trash heap and recycle them into a new diy solar powered generator by instructables. A few old solar garden lights and few other recycled components can be fit together to create a small solar generator that provides enough electricity to charge electronics and listen to the radio.

By recycling old parts to capture the power of the sun, you will be helping the planet two ways – you will be minimizing the amount of trash going to the landfill and reducing the amount of natural resources your household consumes. You may also like to check out diy wind generator.

Recycled DIY Solar Generator
Recycled DIY Solar Generator, Image via: instructables

13- Homemade Solar Generator

Solar generators are a great off-grid alternative power source for light use. If you just need to charge a laptop, phone, a of couple other small items, then a homemade solar generator by learn.eartheasy can provide the needed electricity without the expense of making your homestead completely solar powered.

A homemade solar generator can also save lives if the main power source goes down for a few days. People with certain medical conditions require life-sustaining equipment that is powered by electricity and a homemade solar generator is great to have on hand just in case a need arises.

Follow these detailed pictorial instructions and learn how to build a solar generator for your off-grid homestead.

Homemade Solar Generator
Homemade Solar Generator, Image via: learn.eartheasy

14- Portable DIY Solar Generator

A tote on wheels hides the batteries inside and the wheels make this DIY solar generator by modernsurvivalonline, easy to take along where ever you go. The plastic tote lid is replaced with a lightweight particle board lid so the interior components of the DIY generator are protected, yet easy to access.

Portable DIY Solar Generator
Portable DIY Solar Generator, Image via: modernsurvivalonline

15- Suitcase Solar Generator

Pack up and move on has never been easier. Take power with wherever you go in a suitcase. Use a small suitcase on wheels when only a small amount of electricity is needed. The wheeled suitcase makes transporting the homemade solar generator easier like this one by mobile-solarpower. But if you need a lot of electricity for running power tools, just use a bigger suitcase to house all the components of the generator. It will still be portable and easy to load and unload as needed. By mobile-solarpower.

Suitcase DIY Solar Generator
Suitcase DIY Solar Generator, Image via: mobile-solarpower

16- Quiet Solar Generator

Gas powered generators are loud and emit noxious fumes into the atmosphere, they also burn fossil fuel which is a non-renewable resource.

A solar generator by yournec is quiet, emits no odors, and runs on renewable and sustainable solar power. The sun provides the power and a solar panel can harness the energy of the sun’s rays and use the energy to power a generator. Get quiet, clean, efficient, and sustainable electricity from this easy to build solar generator.

Keep your home, campsite, and/or neighborhood quiet by building yourself a solar power generator. Solar power is clean power and will not increase air pollution either.

Quiet Solar Generator
Quiet Solar Generator, Image via: yournec

17- Small Solar Generator

This YouTube video will show you how to make a solar generator that is small and easy to carry along with you.

Wherever you need electricity, this small DIY solar generator on youtube is ready to go with you and supply the power. Building, remodeling, repairing, or any other task on the homestead that requires electricity, this small solar generator can help you out.

This sturdy and functional design is easy to take along where it’s needed and will last for years. The generator also runs quiet and does not contribute to air pollution.

18- Portable Camping Generator

If you love to go camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking in the wilderness, this will be a great take-along item for your backpack.

This portable camping generator is small and completely powered by the sun. You can enjoy camping in the wilderness but still have some of the comforts of home with this lightweight and efficient DIY solar generator by instructables.

This solar power generator is an all-in-one portable power station with a rechargeable battery that can be charged with a single solar panel. It will even generate enough power for a small heater inside your tent if you like camping in cold weather.

Portable Camping Generator
Portable Camping Generator, Image via: instructables

19- Recycled Computer Parts

Discover how you can take old computer parts and recycle them into a DIY solar generator in this YouTube video. For a fraction of the cost of a new generator, you can build a one that provides 300 watts of electricity from old computer parts.

It’s made from recycled parts and runs off of a renewable energy source, making this an ideal DIY project. If you have an old computer laying around, use these detailed instructions for transforming it into a solar power generator.

20- DIY 12 Volt Generator

Camp in the peace and quietness of the great outdoors while enjoying enough electricity to recharge your electronic devices. That is what this small, portable, and efficient solar generator by networx will provide.

Camping is a way to get away from the fast paced and noisy city, so the last thing you want to listen to is the loud noise of a gas powered generator. You also want to get out of the city to breathe fresh, clean air, not air filled with the noxious fumes emitted from a gas generator.

Be quiet, clean, and relaxed, while still having plenty of electricity, with this DIY 12-volt solar generator.

DIY 12-volt solar generator
DIY 12-volt solar generator, Image via: networx

21- Solar Power Homestead

Even a homestead that is completely powered by solar energy can use a solar generator by mrmoneymustache. Building areas away from the homestead, camping trips, hunting, and fishing trips can be made more comfortable with electricity supplied by a solar generator.

A series of cloudy days or inclement weather can drain the battery bank on the homestead and a solar generator can save the day. These free plans will take you through the building process with ease.

This DIY project will provide you with a generator that gives clean, quiet electricity from a sustainable resource – the sun. Ideal back-up generator to have on hand if someone in your family requires life-sustaining devices like an oxygen machine or CPAP sleeping device. You may also like to check out diy solar water heaters.

Solar Power Homestead
Solar Power Homestead, Image via: mrmoneymustache

Summary

Either you are a survivalist, camper, living off grid or working in a remote area. You need a first or standby source to power your electrical devices or get electricity when the power is cut off for a long time. DIY solar generators provide you a free source of energy to meet your electricity needs. So what are you waiting for? Start building your own generator using any of these plans from our list that suit your diy skills and budget on hand.

About Farhan Ahsan

My name is Farhan Ahsan,I am web enthusiast, writer and blogger. I always strive to be passionate about my work. I started my work at the beginning of 2007 by engaging myself with detail reading and exchanging information with others. Since then things and times have changed, but one thing remains the same and that is my passion for helping and educating people, building a successful blog and delivering quality content to the readers. I always love to write about gardening, sustainable life, off grid living and homestead farming.

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