An energy enthusiast known as Glubux has become a viral sensation for his revolutionary, long-term solution to sustainable living: powering his entire home for an incredible eight years using a massive battery bank constructed from over 1,000 old laptop batteries combined with solar panels.

The ingenious DIY setup is a powerful demonstration of e-waste repurposing and off-grid living, proving that discarded lithium-ion cells still hold significant value.

The project began in late 2016 when Glubux was inspired by the idea of using recycled cells to power an electric bike. He scaled that concept to residential size, collecting hundreds of discarded laptop batteries from various sources.

• The Battery Bank: He meticulously disassembled and tested the individual 18650 lithium-ion cells—the small cylindrical batteries found inside laptop packs. Only cells retaining a healthy capacity (reportedly 70% or more) were selected.
• Safety First: Recognizing the inherent fire risk of a large number of lithium-ion cells, Glubux constructed a dedicated shed located 50 meters (164 feet) away from his home to house the entire system, ensuring proper ventilation and safety measures.
• Solar Integration: The battery system functions as a DIY ‘Powerwall,’ storing energy collected from an expanded array of 24 solar panels (rated at 440W each). This combination allows the system to run the entire household, including energy-intensive appliances like the washing machine, with a virtually zero electricity bill.

What makes this project truly remarkable is its longevity. Glubux reported that after eight years of operation, the system is still running, and he hasn’t had to replace a single cell.

While many engineers and enthusiasts acknowledge the cleverness of the project—highlighting the excellent reuse of materials—they also stress that this kind of complex electrical work requires a high degree of technical knowledge and should not be attempted by amateurs due to the significant risk of fire from cell failure or short circuits.

Glubux’s sustainable hack has become a benchmark for what can be achieved with persistence, technical skill, and a commitment to a circular economy, turning electronic trash into reliable home power.