Best DIY Solar Forums 2026: Reddit & Communities
Today I'm going to show you the best DIY solar forums that have helped me — and thousands of other builders — solve real problems on solar projects.
The truth is, I was one of the first to build a DIY solar heating system out of pop cans back in 2009. Back then, there were almost no online communities for solar builders. You were on your own.
That changed dramatically. The DIY solar community is now massive and surprisingly helpful — whether you're sizing an off-grid battery bank, troubleshooting a solar thermal collector, or planning a full homestead solar setup.
Rather than listing every forum I could find, I'm sharing only the ones I've personally used or verified as active and genuinely helpful in 2026. No zombie forums, no spam-heavy boards.
Let's dive in.
In this guide:
Dedicated DIY Solar Forums
| Forum | Members | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DIYSolarForum.com | 50K+ | The most active dedicated DIY solar forum. Excellent for off-grid system design, battery banks, inverters, and charge controllers. Will Prowse is a frequent contributor. Most threads get answers within hours. |
| SolarPanelTalk | 45K+ | Strong on grid-tie and residential solar installations. Good mix of DIY builders and professionals. |
| EcoRenovator | 5K+ | Smaller but high-quality. Focuses on energy efficiency, solar thermal, and DIY renovation. Great for solar air heater and solar water heater builds. |
Reddit Solar Communities
Reddit has become one of the best places for DIY solar questions — answers come fast, bad advice gets corrected quickly, and the search function works well for finding previous discussions.
| Subreddit | Members | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| r/solar | 250K+ | General solar — mix of residential installs, DIY builds, and buyer questions. Very active. Good for "is this quote reasonable?" type questions. |
| r/DIYsolar | 80K+ | Specifically for DIY solar builders. Off-grid setups, van builds, camper conversions, small off-grid cabins. Excellent community knowledge. |
| r/OffGrid | 120K+ | Broader off-grid living including solar, water, heating. Good for homestead and rural property solar questions. |
| r/vandwellers | 260K+ | Van and mobile solar builds. Excellent if you're sizing a small portable system for a vehicle or tiny home. |
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are less searchable than forums but often have faster response times and more photos of real builds. The main ones worth joining:
- DIY Solar Power — 60K+ members, active daily, good mix of beginners and experienced builders
- Off Grid Living — 200K+ members, broad but solar is a frequent topic
- Solar Power World — more professional/industry focused but useful for product questions
- Homestead Solar — smaller, more rural/farm focus, excellent for questions about solar stock tank heaters and off-grid farm setups
Will Prowse Community
Will Prowse is probably the most influential DIY solar educator online in 2026. His YouTube channel has become the go-to reference for off-grid battery and solar system design for beginners and intermediates.
The DIYSolarForum.com community has strong Will Prowse ties — many members come from his YouTube audience and his content is frequently referenced in threads. If you search "Will Prowse forum", this is the forum you're looking for.
His YouTube channel covers battery chemistry comparisons, charge controller setup, inverter selection, and complete van and cabin system builds — all highly practical and well-tested before he publishes.
Homesteading and Off-Grid Forums
| Forum | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| HomesteadingToday | Broad homesteading | Farm solar, livestock water heating, off-grid power for rural properties. Very practical, real-world advice from working farms. |
| Permies.com | Permaculture and off-grid | Solar thermal, passive solar design, natural building. Excellent for sand battery → and thermal mass heating questions. |
Which Forum Should You Join?
Here's the quick guide:
- First system, don't know where to start: Start with r/DIYsolar — fast responses, forgiving of beginner questions, great search function
- Off-grid battery bank or inverter questions: DIYSolarForum.com — the deepest knowledge base for this topic
- Solar thermal, air heaters, passive solar: EcoRenovator or Permies.com
- Farm / livestock / rural solar: HomesteadingToday — see also the solar stock tank heater guide →
- Van, camper, or tiny home: r/vandwellers has the most real-world mobile solar builds documented anywhere
Good luck with your next solar project. And if you're looking for practical guides to get started building rather than just talking about it:
- Solar Space Heaters: DIY Build Guide and Best Commercial Options →
- How to Store Solar Energy at Home Without Batteries →
- Homemade Sand Battery: DIY Climate Battery Guide →
- Solar Stock Tank Heater: Build Guide for Livestock Water →
Ready to start your first solar project? The most popular starter builds discussed in these forums: plug-in balcony solar (no tools, no permissions), DIY solar air heaters (one weekend, under $100), and homemade sand batteries for thermal storage. The off-grid sizing calculator is the tool most forum members recommend before buying anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best DIY solar forum?
DIYSolarForum.com is the most active dedicated DIY solar forum with 50K+ members, excellent for off-grid system design and battery bank questions. For faster responses, r/DIYsolar on Reddit is highly recommended for beginners. EcoRenovator is the best for solar thermal and DIY air heater builds.
Where is the Will Prowse solar forum?
Will Prowse is closely associated with DIYSolarForum.com where many of his YouTube followers discuss builds and ask questions. Searching his name on DIYSolarForum.com surfaces many threads referencing his content and build recommendations.
What is the best Reddit community for DIY solar?
r/DIYsolar (80K+ members) is the best Reddit community specifically for DIY solar builds including off-grid cabins, van conversions, and battery bank design. r/solar (250K+ members) is better for general residential solar questions including professional installations.
Recommended Starter Gear
Disclosure: this section contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
If you're new to DIY solar and want a starting point that the forums above keep recommending, here is the gear that comes up most often in beginner threads:
- DIY solar kits on Amazon — entry-level all-in-one packages most beginner forum threads start with. Useful baseline for comparing components and pricing before you spec your own build.
- EBL portable solar panel — a budget folding panel with kickstand. Common recommendation on the off-grid subreddits and Will Prowse community as a low-cost panel for testing power-station charging or balcony solar before committing to a full roof install.
- Intex solar pool heater mat — referenced in solar-thermal threads as a cheap way to test the principle of solar water heating before building a DIY solar air or water heater. Pairs well with the build guides linked below.
Related Guides
- Homemade Sand Battery: DIY Build Guide and Honest Pros and Cons
- Solar Panel Cost UK 2026: Installed Prices and Payback
- Solar Panel Grants UK 2026: ECO4, 0% VAT and Scotland Grants
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) 2026: Rates and How Much You Earn
- Home Battery Storage: Real Costs, Payback and Whether It's Worth It
- How Long Do Solar Panels Last? Lifespan and Real 25-Year Data
- Solar Inverter Types Explained: String, Microinverter, Hybrid and Optimisers
- Residential Solar Panel Systems: 7-Step Guide for Homeowners
