this post was submitted on 10 May 2025
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Solar power station DIY projects? (palaver.p3x.de)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by hendrik@palaver.p3x.de to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
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I just found out I can buy a decent 400W solar panel in the local hardware store for around 90€ these days.

Are there people around with experience in off-grid solar? There is quite some supply in cheap MPTT charge controllers on the internet. And I can't afford a 700€ power station. But I would be able to buy a few power tool batteries or one of the lead-acid batteries people put in their caravan. Are there projects building a power station myself? Is this even worth it?

Maybe someone alredy wrote a blog post with recommendations or findings and failures along the way. Or has something similar running at home?

(Thanks to the mods for steering me towards the correct community.)

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[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

What about sodium batteries? Aren't they a bit bulkier but cheaper and safer?

[–] cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Finding a charge controller and inverter that's compatible with the voltage of sodium ion batteries will be difficult.

[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

They sell them on AliExpress.

[–] hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Are those already in mass production and available to random customers? All I can find are a lot of recent news articles, very few manufacturers and very pricey batteries.

[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

I don't know the volumes but you can get them on aliexpress in lots of form factors, like 18650 or bigger blocks.

No idea how price competitive they are.