Light snow this evening. Then remaining cloudy late. Low 16F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%..
Light snow this evening. Then remaining cloudy late. Low 16F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
Updated: January 30, 2026 @ 9:25 pm
Contributed photo by Jasmin Carter
Dr. Walter Lowe, center left, demonstrates the heat his five-eye cooktop range that is powered by the portable solar generator enclosed in the blue box located to the left of the stove.
Contributed photo by Jasmin Carter
Kalus Buckold, left, and Dr. Walter Lowe, right, show a model of the solar-powered shed that will be a future DIY demonstration project opportunity at C4EE.
Contributed photo by Jasmin Carter
Dr. Walter Lowe, center left, demonstrates the heat his five-eye cooktop range that is powered by the portable solar generator enclosed in the blue box located to the left of the stove.
Contributed photo by Jasmin Carter
Kalus Buckold, left, and Dr. Walter Lowe, right, show a model of the solar-powered shed that will be a future DIY demonstration project opportunity at C4EE.
The Center for Energy Education held on its Roanoke Rapids campus a free kick off Do It Yourself workshop Saturday, Jan. 17, to demonstrate options for building safe and secure solar and battery power stations for homes and small businesses.
C4EE’s DIY team, led by Dr. Walter Lowe, and supported by Klaus Beckold, Raymond Hawkins and Jasmin Carter, shared with Warren, Halifax and Northampton County residents a range of demonstrations to build a portable solar generator. Dr. Calvin Lowe of Hampton University and Allen Pierce also offered guidance about the mechanics of solar battery storage.
The C4EE specialists also assisted participants in discussing energy cost issues, planning energy needs, sourcing cost-effective components and constructing DIY systems.
The DIY team provided a variety of indoor and outdoor hands-on presentations to show the solar generator was constructed using readily available components that could be purchased from online retailers, local home improvement stores and solar vendors.
Dr. Walter Lowe used a commercial five-eye cooktop range to demonstrate a high-power household appliance using a 10-kW inverter, a 10-Ah server rack battery and outlet box, all strapped onto a steel hand truck.
“I used a discarded appliance from a recent kitchen renovation to illustrate to participants how machinery and technology can provide solutions,” he said.
Beckold explained that the solar generator could supply power to typical household appliances from the battery and could recharge the battery when needed. He added that while plugged into household power, the inverter monitors the battery level and maintains a full charge while the grid is operational.
“When the grid goes down or is unavailable, the solar generator will automatically assume the electrical load of the house without intervention,” he said. “With additional batteries and solar panels, it’s possible to supply power for a modest home.”
Hawkins built the demonstration solar array using eight solar modules that were mounted, wired and bonded to a racking structure. Pierce detailed the financial model, outlining related costs, return on investment and other build expenses for the homemade solar generator system.
Dr. Calvin Lowe presented specific equipment necessary for charging batteries by highlighting cable resistivity and other system characteristics. His analysis showed how electrical energy can be lost in the cables and connectors.
C4EE’s industrial educator and STEAM Manager Carter shared with participants an outline of upcoming free, on-campus DIY workshops planned for the spring. She welcomed participant input and ideas for future DIY programs.
Dr. Walter Lowe concluded the workshop with a tour of C4EE’s Maker Space and invited participants to join him in future builds of solar energy devices for the home.
These events will be free and open to the public. Call 252-341-3004 or scan the QR code on event flyers to register.
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