July 28th, 2010 | 
Author: This is a solar panel that I built from recycled materials (2×6 DF frame and glass). The 7/16″ OSB on the back, 3″ ABS pipe, fittings, glue and thermometer and screws where purchased for around $90.00. The panel took two weekends to complete. During the one hour testing period, the panel produced between a 42 to 49 degree increase of temp at the return port of the panel. This temp increase includes the 7 degree increase of temp from the 6.25 hp Shop Vac used in the test.
Posted in Solar panels | 
Tags: DIY project, free, furnace, green, heater, home built, panel, plans, solar
This method works well as a water heater also. I made one in the early ’90s that heated water to more than 80 degrees Celsius.
.
It was made in the same way as yours is, and produced very positive results
Thanks for posting this video. I enjoyed the detailed walk from begining to end. I Googled coroplast and found out you can get it from the factory in black. This would save the painting stage. Do you think a thicker sheet would allow for more air movement while still having enough retention time to heat up?
I would not prefer to have another picture window in the panels location. If you watch the video you’ll notice that the panel is a foot away from a window as large as the panel. The system is not restricted?, have you been here and watch it run? Post a video of the solar panel you’ve made from recycled materials, I’m fairly certain I could rip it and your ideas apart. Have a great day. :0)
It’s no PVC it’s ABS- PVC will not hold up, it melts and looks like hell.
Oh my! Please take all this as constructive criticism: Your system has extremely restricted airways! It is way too complicated, and wouldn’t you prefer to have a picture window there instead? if so, build a window with two sheets of glass separated by 1/8th inch, let the sunlight heat the indoors directly. If not, use the glass on the box, insulate the inside with foil-faced fiberglass batting, paint the foil with nickel or chrome oxide black, and run insulated duct to/from the house.
PVC is ok up to 170 if it hoter you need CPVC.but i wood use beer cans. i have maney of tham lol
Cheaper then fillin’ that propane tank with gas I’ll bet…Cool idea!
Would be cool to compare the efficiency of the corigated poly with the aluminum beverage cans painted black ,ends drilled out and strung together for a heat exchanger.
Just made a horizontal 30 on propane tank wood stove with bottom cut out inside ring base for door with a 6″
stove pipe at op end through side wall.
Very efficient unit and cheap!
This question makes a lot more sense then the one you removed…LOL The answer to your thought/question is yes and no. A panel will circulate air when the blower is not running. Mine moves air by it’s self even with the flutes running horizontally. But in my case anyway it’s not enough to heat this building by volume, even though the static air temp exiting the panel often exceeds 150 degrees Fahrenheit on a sunny day. Thanks for your thought.
If the corrogation runs vertically, i wonder if you could get good airflow with no blower since hot air rises.