How to build a solar powered shed?

You have already made the decision to build a shed and now it is time to think about what components this shed will have. You want electricity so you can actually work in the shed when the sun goes down, but do you have the skill to install the necessary wires to get it working? This is something you’ll have to consider before you start building because you might need to employ a general contractor or electrician.

But if you want to build a shed that can power itself, consider learning how to build a solar powered shed. Not only will you save money on electricity, but a green energy shed might even earn you a few dollars back from the electric company and rebates from your state.

Now on to the hard part…building a shed that’s powered by the sun!

Materials & Tools

Before you even think about building a solar powered shed you need to make sure that you have the materials and tools needed to install the solar panels. More importantly you need to ensure that if you don’t have the materials or tools for installation, you know how and where to find them.

The two items you will definitely need are solar panels and a solar pathfinder. The solar pathfinder will let you know if you have enough sun exposure throughout the day to sufficiently meet your energy needs. Once that has been determined you need to install the solar panels on the roof of your shed then attach the battery and wire inverter.

By using the inverter you will be tied into the electricity grid which will allow you to sell surplus energy back to the energy company for a profit. Or you can invest in battery packs or generators and use that excess energy for your home.

Powering Your Shed

Once you have the solar panels installed on the roof of your storage shed, you need to attach the wires to the charge controller which will let you know when solar power is being generated. Then you will have to install a heavy duty fuse in the utility box to run interference between the solar inverter and the battery.

Connect the heavy duty fuse and the battery and then wire the inverter. Be careful when you wire the inverter as it should be powered off to avoid mishaps. You will need to get some type of protective boot so you don’t form a bridge that could lead to electrical shock.

Now that the hard part is done you simply need to wire the fixtures inside your storage shed. You will probably want to wire up a few lighting fixtures first to make sure you always have light when you need it. The experienced builder may also want to connect a charging station to the box as well so you can use that solar energy to charge any electric tools stored in the shed.

Make sure you have checked and double checked each of the connected fixtures before testing them out. Make sure the timer switch is connected as well and then flip the switch to light up your solar powered shed!