How to Make a Solar Bottle Bulb

Last Updated: October 20, 2020

To shed a little light in a garage or a homemade fort consider creating a DIY solar bottle bulb. This bulb should not be used inside a permanent structure as it can cause permanent damage to the roof as well as invite outdoor elements into the home. However, for adding light to a temporary structure or a playhouse for kids, a solar bottle bulb can be easily fashioned.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Determine Placement

1
Decide which area of the home/room will be the best place to add the bottle bulb. Consider where the majority of the living is done and/or where you need a light source the most.
2
Identify any vulnerable areas inside the structure where puncturing the ceiling could cause structural issues. Either refer to the blueprint or walk through the home and evaluate which areas cannot be compromised.

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3
Consider if you can install multiple solar bottle bulbs. Typically bulbs will be created from either 2 liter (0.5 US gal) or 8 ounce clear, plastic empty soda bottles so evaluate your space first.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Get Supplies

1
Pick up empty plastic soda bottles. Remove the label and thoroughly wash the inside and outside of the bottle. Keep the bottle cap.
2
Pick up a gallon of distilled water and a gallon of bleach. The water acts to scatter the light, and the bleach prevents algae from growing inside the bottle.
3
Grab household industrial sealant as you will need to seal the bottle to sheet metal.
4
Purchase sheet metal--enough to surround the bottle and lay along the top of the roof, and pick up a small handsaw.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Design Your Solar Bottle Bulb

1
Measure the circumference of the top 2/3 of the bottle and transfer the measurements to your structure's roof.
- Cut a hole in the roof using your handsaw.
2
Transfer the same measurements to the extra piece of sheet metal. Draw a circle for the bottle measurements and then draw a large square around the circle.
- Cut out the square and the circle on the sheet metal. Test placing the bottle through the circular hole. The bottle should fit snugly, allowing 2/3 of the bottle to hang down through the bottom of the sheet metal.
3
Fill the bottle almost to the top with distilled water. Don't overfill as you will need to add bleach.^{[1]
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4
Top off the bottle with bleach, approximately 3 tbsp. Allow the bleach to permeate through the distilled water without shaking the bottle.^{[2]
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5
Add the cap to the bottle and tighten.
6
Slide the bottle into the sheet metal and add sealant around the base of the bottle. Make sure you add a liberal amount of sealant in order to avoid having rain or other outside elements escape through the hole.
7
Drop bottle through the hole in the roof and allow the sheet metal to keep it in place.^{[3]
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- If possible, add sealant or, if it is not available, M-Seal to the sheet metal to adhere it to the roof.

Community Q&A

Question

This has not worked for me. Can you clarify how much bleach is needed?

Community Answer

The bleach is only used to prevent the green stuff (algae) from growing, so it should work on that particular problem.
Question

Why do we use bleach in making solar bulbs?

Community Answer

To avoid any algae building up in the bottle, which keeps the water clear to maximize light.
Question

What is the chemical name for bleach?

Community Answer

It is called sodium hypochlorite or NaClO, composed of one sodium (Na) atom, one chlorine (Cl) atom and one oxygen (O) atom.