Country Lore: Outdoor Solar Shower

By Tim Mason
Published on May 21, 2009
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PHOTO: TIM MASON
Exterior and interior of the outdoor solar shower. Caution: The platform for the water tank has to be strong enough to hold it when it's filled with water. A full 50-gallon tank weighs about 400 pounds. And check the water before getting in to be sure it’s not too hot.

This outdoor solar shower is one of the ways I conserve energy. The sun heats the water in the black-painted tank on top for my shower each day. After showering, I refill the tank with the garden hose and the sun heats the water for the next day’s shower.

I spent about $140 on the project. The tank is an old water heater that I stripped down and painted flat black. I put an overflow vent on top to let me know when it is full, and also to prevent airlock. I added a shut-off valve just before the shower head.

I picked up the shower base at a garage sale for $5. The walls and door are two pieces of privacy fencing that I cut down to fit. The floor is made from treated lumber.

Tim Mason
Beaverton, MI 

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