Summer is here, and with it comes: summer solar projects, long days, bright sunlight, and curious minds with time to explore. Whether you’re at home with kids who love to make things, running a code club that doesn’t stop when school does, or planning enrichment activities for the new term, summer is the perfect moment to turn sunlight into hands-on learning.
This guide brings together our favourite summer solar builds, from free projects you can start today to kits that take curiosity further. Everything here is designed to be engaging, achievable, and genuinely educational, whether you’re building in the garden, the kitchen, or a classroom.
Why Summer Solar Projects Make the Best Summer Projects:
Summer is the perfect time to explore solar power. It’s visible, reliable, and instantly engaging. Kids can step into the sunlight and see something happen straight away, which makes solar projects ideal for sparking curiosity.
And because sunlight is everywhere, the outdoors becomes part of the experiment. Gardens, patios, parks, and windowsills all turn into test spaces. It’s accessible, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn something new.
An example of a custom stand for obtaining the ‘perfect’ angle for recharging/powering.
Freely Available Solar Projects You Can Start Today:
Summer is a great time to try simple solar builds that make the most of the bright weather. These projects are easy to set up, fun to experiment with, and ideal for keeping kids engaged at home, in clubs, or in the classroom. Everything here uses sunlight as the main ingredient, so you can get started straight away.
Solar Jam Jar Lamp
This project turns an everyday jar into a glowing solar lantern that charges during the day and lights up at night. It’s simple, creative, and perfect for evenings in the garden.
Solar-Powered Rechargeable Batteries + LED Strip
A great way to explore stored energy. Charge the batteries in the sun, then use them to power an LED strip indoors. Kids can see how sunlight collected earlier becomes usable light later.
Solar Add-On for the Smart Greenhouse
Ideal for young gardeners or STEM clubs. This project shows how solar power can support automated growing systems. It’s a neat blend of electronics, plants, and renewable energy.
Solar Power: An Enlightening Guide
If you want a quick refresher or a starting point for teaching solar basics, this guide covers the fundamentals in a clear, accessible way. It can be used as a primer for summer solar projects
The Big Page of D&T Projects
A huge collection of free projects that work all year round. Many can be adapted for summer, and they’re ideal for teachers planning ahead or parents looking for longer activities.
An example of a simple solar-powered kit with rechargeable batteries.
Level Up with Solar Kits:
Once you’ve tried a few free projects, solar kits are a great way to take things further. These kits introduce real components, measurable outputs, and more involved builds. They’re ideal for curious kids, summer clubs, and teachers looking for hands-on STEM/STEAM activities that open the door to endless summer solar projects.
Solar Power Starter Kit
A great next step after simple solar builds. This kit lets learners measure voltage and current, experiment with different loads, and understand how solar power behaves in real conditions. It’s a solid introduction to renewable energy and basic electronics.
Solar Garden Light with Battery
A build-and-deploy a summer solar project that works perfectly. Assemble the light, place it in the garden, and test how it performs at night after a full day’s charge. It’s a simple, satisfying way to explore solar storage and outdoor lighting.
Solar Torch Kit
A practical make that kids can actually use. Build the torch, charge it in the sun, and take it on summer adventures. It’s a fun way to explore solar charging and portable power.
Solar Cell Kit for the Kitronik Greenhouse Kit
Designed for deeper STEM exploration. This kit works with the Environmental Control Board and Greenhouse Kit to power sensors and systems using sunlight. It’s ideal for teachers or clubs running more advanced sessions.
Solar Educational Kit
A classroom-ready pack that introduces solar power through simple, hands-on experiments. It’s a great option for summer schools, enrichment sessions, or teachers planning renewable energy lessons for the new term.
Make the Most of Summer:
Whether you’re building at home, running a club, or planning ahead for the new term, these projects and kits offer simple ways to learn, experiment, and create. Solar is hands-on, reliable, and full of opportunities to spark curiosity.
If you try any of the summer solar projects or kits, we’d love to see what you make. Share your builds with us on social media or tag Kitronik in your posts. Have a great summer of making.