An Outdoor Solar Shower Is A Great DIY Weekend Project

Would you like a shower in your backyard? Why not have an outdoor solar shower?  These can be as simple or elaborate as you want, ranging from a long length of flexible black water pipe to an elegant shower stall with proper drainage, privacy and decking to keep feet clean whilst drying off.  

Let’s look at a simple outdoor solar shower in a typical backyard, possibly close to a swimming pool or hot tub, both of which could share the solar water heating arrangements with the shower.

The most important consideration for an outdoor solar shower is the provision of adequate drainage.  In some areas you might be able to have a simple soakaway or take the soiled water to the nearest flower bed.  Others might demand a more elaborate system that drains into the main sewer or septic tank.  You will be responsible for following whatever rules apply to your locality.  

The design of your outdoor solar shower will depend on other criteria as well:

Privacy.  Do you want to be out of sight? If yes, then you need to find a secluded spot away from upstairs windows for your solar heated shower.

Water Supply.  You could find that your shower water pressure is affected by its distance from the mains supply. If you find this is the case, you can boost the shower flow by mounting an old hot water cylinder or tank above the shower.

Sun.  The solar heating system (pipe, tank or both) will need to get adequate exposure to sun for most of the day.  Enough hot water for the next shower should be available in about 15 minutes or so, but the time taken can be badly affected by shade or poor positioning from direct sunlight.

Purpose.  How do you intend to use the solar heated shower? After a swim, perhaps?  To rinse off after sunbathing before going into the house?  Your shower design will depend very much on how you want to use it.

Debris.  Leaves can collect in the shower, and it is a chore to remove them every time you want to use it.  Try to cover this with a wooden lid or similar device when not in use, and if possible locate the shower well away from trees.

Between 9 and 16 square feet is a good size for an outdoor solar shower, and build it on decking about a foot above the ground, to allow the installation of a simple galvanized steel drainage box under the shower to take soiled water away to the soakaway or other drainage system you have provided.

It is a good idea to build the decking out a few feet at the shower door, for easy toweling afterwards and to keep feet clean.  Pressure-treated softwood 4x4 posts can be used at each corner of the shower stall, joined by side panels made from pretty much anything you like – plywood, clapboard, cedar shingles are some materials of choice.  

You will find the solar heating system very easy to make. The simplest device is a shower head attached to a long length of water hose coiled up in the sun. A more formal arrangement will still involve coils of water pipe mounted in a tray above the shower and exposed to the sun. If you need more hot water you could use an old water tank or hot water cylinder in the solar heating pipe, but this would have to be higher than the shower head to give you enough pressure.

In very hot weather you might need to include a mixer system, for blending hot and cold water together for a comfortable shower.

There is a huge variety of diy solar shower designs available and, to help you choose the right one for you, we have an excellent guide produced by solar heating experts.  It includes good quality plans, schematic diagrams and clear instructions to make the whole process easy and fun.