A massive testament to engineering ingenuity and sustainable energy is currently in its eighth year of continuous operation, courtesy of a dedicated DIY enthusiast known online as “Glubux.” Since 2016, Glubux has achieved complete energy independence by powering his entire household using a homemade solar setup combined with a massive powerwall built from over one thousand recycled lithium-ion cells salvaged from discarded laptop batteries.
The project not only showcases the untapped potential in electronic waste but also proves that second-life batteries can be a safe, reliable, and ultra-sustainable solution for home energy storage.
The project began in November 2016, driven by the realization that most discarded laptop battery packs still contain perfectly functional 18650 lithium-ion cells.
The Build: Glubux collected and meticulously tested, matched, and organized over 1,000 cells into custom-built power packs. The entire system is housed in a dedicated shed 50 meters from his home as a sensible safety precaution, equipped with proper ventilation and monitoring.
The System: The battery bank is continuously charged by a substantial solar array, which Glubux expanded to 24 high-output solar panels (440W each). This robust generation capacity ensures the system can handle the home’s full power requirements across all seasons, including energy-hungry appliances like a washing machine.
The Feat: After eight years of running his home completely off-grid, Glubux reports an astonishing record: He has not replaced a single cell, avoiding any swelling or safety issues due to careful selection, steady discharge rates, and continuous battery management.
This project provides a compelling real-world example of the benefits of second-life batteries and the circular economy in the energy sector:
Environmental Impact: It diverts hazardous electronic waste from landfills, conserving the valuable and resource-intensive materials (like lithium, nickel, and cobalt) inside.
Cost-Effectiveness: Using recycled cells drastically reduces the cost of building a large-scale home energy storage system compared to purchasing new battery modules (like commercial Powerwalls).
Glubux’s perseverance demonstrates that, with the right technical understanding and safety precautions (including proper monitoring and physical separation), discarded components can become the backbone of reliable, sustainable, and entirely independent power solutions.
