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In the summer months, no backyard is complete without a shower, so why not have a solar heated shower?  These can be as simple or elaborate as you want, ranging from a long length of flexible black water hose to an elegant shower cubicle with decking, drainage and privacy screening.  

Let’s look at a simple outdoor solar shower in an average backyard, possibly close to a spa or pool, both of which could be heated from the shower’s hot water supply.

First and foremost, you must ensure there is good drainage for your shower.  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.  Applicable regulations for the drainage of gray water will vary, and you must comply with those in your area.  

Here are the other main criteria for the design of your outdoor solar shower:

Privacy.  Do you want to be out of sight? If the answer is yes, then the shower will need to be shielded from upstairs and neighbors’windows.

Water Pressure.  You will experience a small drop in water pressure if your shower is a long way from your mains supply. If you find this is the case, you can increase the shower flow by mounting an old hot water cylinder or tank above the shower.

Sunshine.  Clearly a solar heated shower needs plenty of sunshine to work properly.  It should only take about 15 minutes to make enough hot water for the next shower, but it will need much longer if there is shade over the solar heating system for a significant part of the day.

Usage.  Is the solar heated shower to be used after having a dip in the pool or hot tub?  To rinse off after sunbathing before going into the house?  These things will have a strong influence on your shower design.

Litter.  The shower pan can be a great magnet for every fallen leaf.  Try to cover this with a wooden lid or similar device when not in use, and locate the shower as far as possible from your 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.

The decking can be extended for 4 or 5 feet at the shower entrance, to allow comfortable drying off without getting feet dirty.  The enclosure can be made from 4×4 upright posts at each corner (pressure-treated softwood is adequate), joined by side panels made from pretty much anything you like – plywood, clapboard, cedar shingles are some materials of choice.  

The solar heating system itself is very simple to make. A shower head attached to a length of ½ inch flexible pipe coiled on the roof of the shower and then to the main cold water tap is often sufficient. A better way is to coil the water pipe in an open tray over the shower and facing towards the sun. You can increase the capacity by including an old water tank or cylinder but, if you do this, you will probably need to mount it higher than the shower head – not always an aesthetically pleasing method unless you can somehow conceal it.

In warmer climates it is advisable to fit a mixer, for ensuring your shower is not too hot for you!

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.  The guide includes good quality plans, schematic diagrams and clear instructions to make the whole process easy and fun.