I’m always a fan of ingenious things that people create especially when it comes to upcycling and being innovative—innovation is the heart of the diy community after all! Peter Rowan from good ole Seattle crafted a solar panel out of various beverage cans to heat up a small room. If you’re going to do this yourself, it’s time to start chugging. Rowan collected 275 cans and drilled holes in the bottom of them. This process looks a bit intense as he talks about his trial and errors with the potential safety hazards and saving the integrity of the cans. From there, he glued the cans together, spray painted them black, and popped them in a plywood box he made with a plexiglass cover. Rowan grabbed up some old fans from a computer and rigged them to be solar-operated to help with cool air pushing into the panel and warm air would thus be forced into his interior space. Though, the fans are not necessary. The aluminum cans will absorb the heat from the sun and turn cool air into warm from the sun's energy. It’s a really awesome video to watch. Rowan discusses his trial and errors with the whole project. He originally had the intentions of installing his solar soda can panel on the top of his roof. Due to airflow, physics, angles, and positioning, the best way to get the results he was looking for was on the side of his home. This definitely is not a weekend project, but it’s something to keep in mind when you crack open a drink. It’s an inspirational video showcasing the human spirit and innovation that is in each one of us. Have you ever built anything solar?

Check Out This Solar-Powered Heater Made Out of Recycled Aluminum Cans