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From Storm Scrap to a Working Solar Setup: Don’s Backyard Build
When a hurricane came through Don’s area, it left more wreckage than anything else. His pool enclosure was torn apart, and the few straight pieces of aluminum he could save ended up stacked behind the barn. He didn’t know what he’d do with them — only that he didn’t want the storm to have the final say.
They sat there for a while. Then Don looked at that pile again with a different mindset. Instead of seeing debris, he saw a chance to build something new and put a positive spin on a rough experience.
Building a Coop From What Was Left
Don used the aluminum to build a 6’6” x 16’ mobile chicken coop. This was all new ground for him. He wasn’t raising chickens before this, and he’d never built a coop. But he took it step by step and figured it out along the way.
When the chickens grew and needed more room, he added a 16-foot PVC run. Now the whole setup gets moved around his property every week.
Making It Fully Solar Powered
Don's next challenge was powering it. The coop needed light, airflow, protection lights, an automatic door, and a working rear jack. None of that made sense with extension cords or fuel.
He kept it simple with an EcoFlow Delta 2 Max.
Inside the coop, the system runs:
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• the ceiling light
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• a vent fan
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• four motion-activated predator lights
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• the automatic chicken door
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• the rear jack
In Don’s Words
“The Delta 2 Max has been operating 24/7 flawlessly for 4 months now and I couldn’t be happier.
The 2 × 200W panels always produce more power than I need, even with several cloudy days in a row.
I have been so impressed with Shop Solar that I have now purchased a 12,000W OGK-PRO system. I’ll have a review of that setup soon.”
His setup has been running exactly the way he intended — and it’s a great real-world example of what these systems can do.
A Tip of the Hat to Don
We’re blown away by the build itself, but what really sticks with us is how it started. A hurricane is the kind of thing that can knock the wind out of anyone, and Don chose to turn that experience into something positive instead of letting it sit heavy. We’re proud to have played even a small part in it, and genuinely inspired by Don and everyone else in this community who carries that same “let’s make something of it” attitude.
If You’re Planning Your Own Setup
Whether it’s a coop, shed, cabin, greenhouse, or a totally unique build, we can help you figure out the power side. Don’s project is a good example of what happens when you combine a straightforward idea with the right equipment.
If you’ve got something in the works — or even just a rough sketch — we’re here to help you size the system and make it run.
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