How-To
This site documents how to make 100% solar powered video kits with on camera training for about $200 using off-the-shelf products.
These kits are designed to enable anyone to record and upload great documentary-style video that is both sustainably powered and low-cost. The kits are housed in crush-proof cases that withstand harsh travel and shipping anywhere in the world.
Uses
- Non-profits who want documentation projects to be posted on their Web sites.
- University study abroad programs that want to equip students to document their experiences, and/or the university’s Web 2.0 marketing initiatives.
- K-12 student video curriculum, combined with environmental education around solar panels.
Configurations
#1: Fast Charger
Fast charger with Flip Ultra camera
- DIY Cost: $200 +/-
- Charge Time: About 4 hours direct sunlight
- Uses: Most versatile, easiest to build, quickest charging kit
Components
- Training Video that plays in camera’s viewfinder
- $75: Flip Ultra video camera, with non-profit discount. Apply Here for non-profit discount
- $25: Pelican 1010 Case, with “Pick-N-Pluck” foam (buy Case and Foam on Amazon)
- $65: PowerFilm AA solar battery charger (Sunsance Solar or Amazon)
How To Build
- Order products
- Download training video and load onto camera by following these directions
- Put in directions that come with camera and solar battery charger into kit
- Tightly fold solar panel so it fits into case with flip camera
- Optional: Use “Pick-N-Pluck” foam to keep camera in place inside kit
#2: Budget
Budget Solar Video Kit
- DIY Cost: $150.00 +/-
- Charge time: 18 hours direct sunlight
- Uses: Sunny locations shooting about an hour of video a week while batteries charge
Solar Panel for budget kit
Components
- Training Video that plays in camera’s viewfinder
- $75: Flip Ultra, with non-profit discount. Apply Here for non-profit discount
- $30: Pelican 1040 Case, Yellow insert, clear plastic, with “Pick-N-Pluck” foam (buy Case and Foam on Amazon)
- $25: DIY solar battery charger (Sundance Sunbender DIY 2AA Charger
$35 Assembled solar battery charger (Sundance Solar Premade 2AA charger) - $6: Shoe Goo
- $3: 1 foot industrial Velcro
- $3: 4 Rechargeable AA Batteries
- Tools: Solder iron, solder, flux, knife
How To Build
- See Flickr Photo directions to assemble kit
- Download and load training video onto camera
Budget Kit Closed
#3: Junior
Junior
- DIY Cost: $130.00 +/-
- Charge time: 24 hours direct sunlight
- Uses: Very Sunny locations, for shooting about an hour of video a week while batteries charge
- Training Video that plays in camera’s viewfinder
- $75: Flip Ultra, with non-profit discount. Apply Here for non-profit discount
- $25: Pelican 1020 Case, ADD LINKS HERE
- $25: Siliconsolar.com 2AA battery charger with shipping
- $6: Shoe Goo
- $3: 1 foot industrial Velcro
- $3: 4 Rechargeable AA Batteries
- Tools: Solder iron, solder, flux, knife
How To Download and Load the Training Video
All configurations use this training video. The video is downloaded and put onto the kit’s camera so that it plays in the camera’s viewfinder. The training video helps anyone get good light, sound and framing in any language. It is meant to have loud audio so you can hear it on camera’s small speakers.
How to load training video on any camera
To load the training video:
- Download the video by clicking this link (243 MB, will take a little while!)
- Set up your camera in a dark room close to a computer screen (see photo below)
- Open video in full screen mode
- Frame camera so video fills camera’s viewfinder
- “Play” the video to test the audio level. Make sure the audio plays loudly, then reset the video the beginning.
- Click “Record” on the camera, and then “Play” on the video quickly.
- Click “Stop” on the camera when the video stops.
- Play the video on your camera to make sure it’s OK.
Setting up training video to record on camera
