In 2016, tech enthusiast Glubux set out to build an off-grid solar power system using an unconventional energy source: more than 1,000 recycled laptop batteries. What began as an experiment in sustainability and DIY engineering has, eight years later, turned into a long-running proof of how electronic waste can be repurposed into a dependable source of clean, affordable energy.
Glubux collected discarded laptop battery packs—many of which still contained functional lithium-ion cells that are often thrown away simply because a single cell fails. After carefully testing, sorting, and matching cells with similar capacities, he rebuilt them into large battery banks capable of storing solar energy. The system was paired with solar panels, charge controllers, and an inverter, allowing him to power household appliances, tools, and electronics entirely off the grid.
Despite using second-hand cells, the system has shown impressive durability. Over the years, the battery banks have required only occasional maintenance, such as replacing degraded cells and rebalancing battery packs. Glubux also added capacity and improved safety features as technology advanced, but the core of the setup—recycled laptop batteries—continues to function reliably.
The long-term success of this project highlights several important ideas. First, it demonstrates that e-waste still holds tremendous value. Millions of laptop batteries are discarded annually even though many contain usable cells that can be repurposed with the right knowledge and tools. Second, it shows that community-driven innovation can lower energy costs. By using recycled cells instead of buying new batteries, Glubux significantly reduced the financial barrier to building a home-scale solar system.
Most importantly, the project inspires a broader vision for sustainability. It proves that with technical skill, patience, and creative thinking, individuals can build renewable energy systems that reduce waste, cut carbon emissions, and challenge traditional ideas of what is possible with discarded electronics. For many in the DIY solar community, Glubux’s off-grid setup has become a model for how grassroots innovation can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
