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Low-tech Solutions

Interesting possibilities arise when you combine old technology with new knowledge and new materials, or when you apply old concepts and traditional knowledge to modern technology.

How to Build a Solar Powered Electric Oven

This guide explains how to construct an energy-efficient cooking appliance powered by a small solar panel. Thanks to its heat storage, the cooker remains ready to use even after sunset.

How to Assemble an Electric Heating Element from Scratch

This manual guides you through the process of building a 12V DC electric resistance heating element for a self-made heating or cooking device.

How to Mount a Balcony Awning

A balcony awning provides shading and cooling with minimal time, effort, and expense.

How to Build an Electrically Heated Table?

This manual explains how to assemble an electrically heated and insulated table that keeps you toasty warm in a cold space.

Communal Luxury: The Public Bathhouse

Throughout history, people have bathed in public rather than in private. Should we bring back the public bathhouse for the sake of sustainability?

Low-tech Magazine: The Ebooks

Low-tech Magazine now offers its complete book collection in epub format.

How to Build a Small Solar Power System

This guide explains everything you need to know to build stand-alone photovoltaic systems that can power almost anything you want.

Test our Bike Generators in Paris, Rotterdam, and Barcelona

Low-tech Magazine built a bicycle generator for an exhibition on energy at the Pavillon d’Arsenal in Paris, now open to the public. Our two other bikes can be seen and experimented with in Rotterdam and Barcelona.

Workshop in Rotterdam: How to Build a Bike Generator

From 10 to 14 October, Low-tech Magazine holds a free workshop where we will build a bicycle generator together.

Direct Solar Power: Off-Grid Without Batteries

Using solar panels without backup infrastructure makes renewable energy production much more affordable, efficient and sustainable.

Human Powered Air Compressor and Energy Storage System

Andy Lagzdins built and documented a pedal-powered air compressor to run the power tools in his motorcycle workshop.

Rebuilding a Solar Powered Website

You’re looking at a completely rebuilt version of the solar powered website, which now allows you to turn off the dithering compression and see the original images.