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Passive Solar and Reduced Cost Solar Energy Alternatives

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:34:43 +0000

The United States Department of Energy is providing specific information on it’s website concerning the harnessing and distribution of solar powered energy sources on a broad commercial level, as well as to individual residential consumers. According the Department of Energy website, commercial power plants designed and constructed to make use of the renewable energy of the sun can be disbursed to provide energy to residential consumers without the necessity for purchasing personal solar technology systems for individual households.

Passive solar energy is the term used to describe a method of building design which considers the sun’s position in relation to the building to maximize solar heating sources. Without installing any technological devices specific to collecting solar energy, such as solar panels, utility costs can be dramatically affected by simply designing and constructing buildings to utilize the south facing walls for solar heat absorption and cooperatively designing the ventilation system of the building to direct the heat throughout the rest of the structure. By conscious placement of the structure there is a dramatic effect on energy consumption required to maintain the temperature within the building. Obviously, during the hot summer months, steps must be considered to shade the south facing walls from the sun’s impact, or the cost for cooling the building will overshadow the cost savings advantages exhibited during the winter months.

While the obvious benefits of passive solar power as a means of heating buildings includes that solar power is an unending energy source and no chemical reaction is required to convert the sun’s heat, therefore releasing no chemical bi-products or environmental pollutant emmisions, there are negatives to the use of passive solar energy which must be considered. For example, productive use of passive solar energy is dependant on the amount of consistent sunlight which can be expected for a geographical location. Even in areas of continual sunny weather, the heat transferred by the south facing walls in a passive solar application must be retained throughout the night time hours after sunset.

A compromising alternative to a spotty passive solar application may be to take advantage of the newest technology in solar grid films. While traditional collection grids designed for harnessing solar energy were previously constructed in large panel form which were typically attached to the roofs of buildings, new technology is emerging which has reduced the solar collection cells into a thin film which may be positioned flush with existing roof systems for unobtrusive installation. These films are much less costly than their predecessors in that less raw material is required for construction and are now also being seamlessly integrated with different types of roofing systems for virtually undetectable installations. Use of this type of solar energy system will allow your dwelling to remain on the electric utility company’s energy grid, but permit you to use the energy exclusively from your solar energy collector when available, at no cost. In this way, your home is hybridized to use passive solar energy to reduce overall fuel consumption, collected solar energy at no cost, and supplement your energy shortages with the utility company’s provided electricity.

Determine If Solar Power Systems For Residential Use Are Right For You

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:21:58 +0000

It is almost impossible these days to turn on the news or open a paper without hearing or reading about the need for future alternative energy. With the cost of fuel skyrocketing and the adverse environmental impact of fossil fuels it is becoming critical that we look for alternative ways to provide the power that we need for our day-to-day lives. You might ask, “So what can I do as an individual home owner to help?” The answer is to reduce your demand for electricity from the power grid. There are two ways of doing this:

1. The first is to learn ways to conserve electricity in your home.

2. The second is to learn ways to generate electricity at your residence. In times past, the cost to do this for the individual home owner was cost prohibitive, but with the Federal Energy Tax Credit of 30% it is becoming much more cost effective. In addition to the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit, many states and local power companies offer further incentives that reduce the initial cost of these systems even further.

The one source of alternative energy that is available to all of us is the Sun. No matter where we live, we have this resource available to us free of charge. The challenge is in converting this free resource into electricity. A residential solar power system is the best way to do this.

The first step in determining if A Residential Solar Power System is right for you is to see if you fit into one of the following 4 categories:

1. You want to lower your average electric bill.

2. You have an interest in reducing your dependence on your utility company.

3. You would like to reduce the environmental impact of electricity production.

4. A grid connection is not available in your area or can be made only through an expensive line extension. (The cost of running a power line to the utility grid at a remote site can be prohibitive, ranging from $15,000 to more than $50,000 per mile, depending upon the terrain.)

Secondly, there are 3 location factors to consider when determining whether you have a site that is appropriate for Solar Panels.

1. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere your site must have southern exposure. For maximum daily power output, Solar Panels should be exposed to the sun for as much of the day as possible, especially during the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2. The site must be free of obstructions such as trees, mountains, and buildings that might shade the panels. Consider both summer and winter paths of the sun, as well as the growth of trees and future construction that may cause shading problems.

3. You also have appropriate terrain and sufficient space to install the solar system. (A lot of people with south facing roof tops put them there instead of taking up yard space).

If you fit into one of the 4 categories and you meet all of the location factors then you need to ensure:

1. You have a strategy for meeting your energy needs during times of darkness or in really bad weather.

2. Your state or utility provides for electricity net metering, which allows you to connect your system with your utility and sell any excess electricity to your utility.

The sun is a free resource that provides unlimited potential. If you fit into one of the 4 Categories and your location meets all of the location factors then you should seriously consider installing a Residential Solar Power System. Once you learn how to tap into this resource you will greatly reduce your dependence on the power grid while reducing, if not eliminating, your average monthly electric bill.

Submitted by Everett Payne, http://www.averageelectricbillrelief.com which provides information on residential home energy saving tips as well as various methods to tap into alternative energy resources.

It is Fun & Simple to Make Solar Panels on Your Own

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:14:24 +0000

The number of people who want to learn how to make solar panels on their own is increasing day by day. One of the obvious reasons is that the pre-made solar panels at local stores are extremely expensive. They may cost you anywhere from $2000 to $3000 or even more. When I look at the price tags, I nearly cry. However the most significant reason for people to learn this skill is that they prices of fuel and oil are also skyrocketing day by day. No one wants to rely on those sources of energy anymore and the only solution is to employ solar power for homes and learn how to make solar panels in to save extra money.

It is very simple to build a homemade solar panel. You can get every part, like solar cell, at your local store. Basically you will need to get a sheet of plywood, a sheet of glass, copper wiring and solar cells at the beginning. They are the most vital parts for your first DIY solar panel. Of course, if you can invest more, you may want to purchase some miscellaneous like finish trim, screws and caulking. They will be nice to your solar panels.

But the most important thing you have to get is the proper instructions on the whole process. There is no point to have all parts but have no idea on how to make them together. So first and foremost you may need to do some research online. You may search for DIY solar power house guides and you will be provided ebooks and videos for the step-by-step instructions, from finding the parts at the most cost-effective price to installing the whole solar power system.

The DIY solar power house guide I bought is quite good and I could build my first solar panel in just a weekend. Even though when I had questions, I would be answered in their private membership forum in 24 hours.

And now, although I have a functional solar power system for my house and I am reducing 80% of my electric bills every month, I do not stop making solar panels. It is because some of my friends always ask me to make solar panels for them, their family and even their own friends. Most of them are busy people and it is hard for them to spend 2 full days to learn how to make solar panels. So when I told them I could get the job done for under $200, they just felt glad and asked me for help. And surely I am willing to help because I believe my little effort can make our environment cleaner and lessen air pollution.

There is no reason why you cannot do the same thing. You just have to be brave and get a DIY solar power house guide online. Then you will successfully make solar panels after a week.

If you’ve enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Make Solar Panels, you’ll love everything else you find at Make Solar Panels.

Solar Power For the Home – Learning the Essentials

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:14:20 +0000

Solar power should definitely be an option for those who do not want to pay so much for electricity. From a practical standpoint, anyone should harness whatever they can from nature to reduce the growing cost of power. This is the very reason why many companies started selling solar panels because these are the essential items you need to have solar power for the home. The main challenge is that although many have bought these solar panels, they are not able to put them into use since they placed the panels in the wrong position. Below you will find guidelines how to position solar panels to maximize the energy they can get from the sun.

Keep in mind that as far as solar power for the home is concerned, the angle of your solar panels have a direct impact in the performance of your harnessed energy. The light that shines through them will not be sufficient. The first thing you need to be sure of is that your solar panels must get the maximum amount of light that they can and this is only made possible if the panels are directly under the sun. On top of these, there are angles you need to consider because the earth revolves around the sun all through the year and the angles will change. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and you must realize that harnessing solar power for the home is not kid’s stuff.

After deciding about the panels, the next thing you need to think about is the batteries where you will store the energy. Solar power for the home is not like electricity in which you get it when you want to. The battery you will choose will depend on the amount of power you need to consume from your solar panels. You will need the help of an electrician or engineer to calculate how much energy you will use from the battery by getting the expected wattage of your appliances that will get energy from it.

Now Pay Close Attention Here – Are you seriously looking for a proven way to save money on your electricity bills? There is a Guide which will help you to Build solar power at home. You will be surprised to know that how easy it is to Build solar power at Home, that will not only save your money but you will help in cleaning the environment. Check the Guide

Solar Energy For Your Home

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:35:49 +0000

Fossil fuels are almost depleted and we are all dependent on it. It powers our home, business, transportation, and every essential aspect of our daily lives. Everyone is thinking for an alternative source of energy, and solar power is gaining its popularity. It is very convenient to use, it will atomically reduce our electricity bill and it is so easy to set up.

As you care to think of it with all the good benefits the solar power has to offer, why it is not being used widespread than it is. There are handfuls of answers pertaining to such questions. One of this is that some people simply do not like the way solar panel look; they have the feelings that it detracts the beauty of their homes. Some of them prejudice that system won’t work during night times and cloudy days, and realized that it will be inefficient. But most of them tend to refuse form using solar power is expensive and homeowners can afford.

What can be done to persuade homeowners to utilize solar energy?

The appearance of solar panel can easily be dealt with. There are solar panels out there that look just like an ordinary root shingles, this are called photovoltaic shingles which can also function as root shingles world.

These solar shingles typically comes in a variety of dark colors like black, dark blue, and violet. Because these dark colors are efficient in collecting solar hear emery. But it has the appearance of a traditional asphalt shingles. So if you don’t like the traditional solar panel, you can simply install solar panel shingles.

Solar power can be utilized even at night time and cloudy days because it comes equipped with batteries on which it collects energy generated by the solar panel during the day and stored in its chambers. That’s why solar power is still efficient even during night time and cloudy days.

But to undertake the biggest problem most homeowners find it to decline in installing solar power is that it’s too expensive. Yes, it is expensive. Not unless you build it your own instead of hiring professional installer who charge a high fee for the services. Technology is available out there; you simply have to furnish the items necessary for completion. There are also so many step-by-step guides that will teach you how to install it with just a fraction of its actual cost.

The development of solar shingles and photovoltaic cell has been a major break through in harnessing solar technology. But it is only the beginning of the new age of solar technology which are spearheaded by this new technologies incorporated in it. Thus technology will become more innovative.

Learn How To Make Power4Home

Residential Solar Power – Solar Power for Homes

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:33:05 +0000

We have all felt the impact of rising fuel and energy costs, we have also all seen the devastating impact on the environment the extraction and use of fossil fuels has. For quite a few years now solar power for homes has been a much promoted alternative, the only problem is that it is so expensive to purchase and have installed, that is until now…

Residential solar power for homes has become a must if we are to free ourselves of the rising cost of traditional power resources such as fossil fuels. Solar power for homes has been with us for some time now, unfortunately the costs of taking it up have been prohibitive.

Residential solar power for homes is the simplest alternative energy installation we can preform on our homes. Easy to install and maintain (solar panels have a life span of around 30years) a residential solar power system will have you saving money for years to come.

No longer do you have to have massive, ugly solar panels decorating your roof, the panels produced today come in a variety of shapes and sizes (depending on your energy needs) and are made to blend in with the design of your home.

Possibly the most attractive feature of solar power for homes is it gives you the freedom to live your life independently or at least be less dependent upon, the power grid. This independence not only allows you to have what is effectively a free energy source, it also means you are not harming the environment as solar energy is a clean (no emissions, non polluting) and renewable energy source. The fact that residential solar power provides us with a clean, renewable energy, gives us the luxury to be less conscientious of and more liberal with our energy usage in the home.

Regardless of whether you are looking to totally power your home with solar or are looking to supplement traditional power sources to give you a cheaper, more reliable (no more power outages), unrestricted power resource, solar power is the way to go.

Recently we have seen the emergence of an affordable way to get a residential solar power system up and running. Many households are turning to DIY (Do It Yourself) solar power projects. DIY solar power guides are available on the internet via instant download and contain all the information (via video and ebook) you will need to get a solar power for the home system built and installed in no time.

To find out more about Residential Solar Power For Homes click the following link Residential Solar Power Solar Power For Homes

Like most things released in this format there are some products to avoid, Click Here for a review on the best DIY Residential Solar For Homes kits available on the web

Jon Elsdon is a Solar Energy Consultant and Environmentalist. Jon is editor of http://www.solarpowerdiy.info to read more about solar energy solutions [Click Here]

Solar Powered Appliances

admin — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:27:37 +0000

It is highly encouraged to use this kind of energy at this point in time that our environment is rapidly deteriorating. All the weird and erratic climate changes that we are experiencing are a result of the high levels of pollution that fossil fueled energy sources have emitted.

Imagine that there are places that are getting flooded that were not affected by this before. In some areas, the sun is brightly shining and a few kilometers away, it is raining cats and dogs. Heat waves and cold spells are happening all around. Some areas experience too much rain while others have a long dry spell. People, animals and crops are being affected by the erratic changes in the climate and weather.

To do our part, we should consider using alternative sources of energy to power some of our appliances. Solar power when converted to electricity via photovoltaic has the ability to supply energy to some of our appliances or gadgets. There are already solar chargers for mp3, digital cameras, mobile phones and laptops. There are also solar ovens, lamps, refrigerators, calculators, fm radio, pumps, inverters and a lot more. Most popular in every home is the calculator followed by the solar water heaters.

Using solar power will lessen your electricity consumption and give you a lot of savings. Solar power when harnessed and converted into solar energy does not give out carbon dioxide emissions that will harm the environment. You can even make your own solar panels to harness solar power with simple materials, even those that we use in the kitchen daily.

There are even websites that teaches you to make your own solar panels for under $ 200.00. Even solar newbies will be able to make their very own solar panels to use in their homes with the easy to follow instructions that these sites have.

With the current economic situation, people are looking to find ways of being able to save in the different areas of their lives. Utilizing solar power as the energy source of some of your appliances or gadgets will contribute a lot in your quest to save money to use for something you need more.

The use of solar power is getting popular all over. It does the environment good and your pocket too. What are you waiting for, go check out the internet to see how you can harness solar power to use in your home.

Discover more solar power resources at http://solarlpower.com/

Do it Yourself Solar Panels to Help Mother Earth

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:26:44 +0000

As the days pass, electricity cost is rising and most of the time, ways of generating electricity are making matters worse for our environment. One great alternative source of electricity is the solar energy and you can harness it through solar panels which you can make by yourself.

Imagine how much you can save and put your money to better use when you utilize solar energy for some of the appliances you have in your home. Solar energy is the way to go to cut costs and preserve the environment.

Solar Panels available commercially are expensive, but did you know that you can make your very own solar panels to utilize solar energy that is ever so abundant and is easily replenished. Imagine being able to make your own solar panel with simple household materials such as a sheet of copper flashing, alligator clip leads, sensitive micro-ammeter, an electric stove, clear plastic bottle, table salt, tap water, sand paper and metal shears.

The process of making the solar panel is also so easy and very much available on the internet. Imagine making a power source that makes use of simple materials, isn’t that wonderful?

You get to cut cost and you have a source of energy that is ever so renewable. What is more, you get to help lessen pollution and make the planet a better place.

In using solar energy, you get to help the environment by decreasing the ill effects of the pollutants and help stop global warming that is causes the weather to go erratic.

A lot of appliances are now using solar power and one of the most popular is the solar powered shower heaters which will truly help you save a lot. Also, there are solar powered refrigerators that act as freezer and refrigerator altogether that would cost minimal.

Let us do our share in conserving our environment give the future generation a more livable place to live in. Solar energy is the way to go because it is earth friendly, inexhaustible and very abundant for all.

Be updated on solar power. Visit http://solarlpower.com

Facts About a Solar Power Home

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:23:44 +0000

Advantages: The first thing most of us consider when we think about a solar power home is the big question: How much is it going to cost me? Some people don’t even get that far, they just assume the cost will be too much. The fact is, you can generate your own electricity for a very small initial cost. Of course, you really begin to save money when you get your system set up. You’ll finally be able to see some of the smallest electric bills of your life! Studies have show that it is possible to reduce your electric bill by more than 3/4. That would be pretty nice to only get a bill that is 1/4 of what you’ve been paying! There are even those who have been able to make more electricity than they need, enabling them to sell some of that power back to the electric company. Imagine getting a check from the electric company instead of having to send them one!

One of the greatest things about having a solar power home is the fact that the sun’s resource is always there — even on a cloudy day. There are those who think solar power won’t work unless it’s sunny all the time. That is not the case. While it is true that you make less electricity on a cloudy day, you still are able to make electricity. All you have to do is set up something to “catch” the resource of the light, which is really very easy to do. You can draw a little “smilie face” on your next electric bill!

You might be thinking that solar power is something that is very difficult or time-consuming to maintain. A solar power system actually requires very little maintenance. Why is that? For one thing, there are no moving parts. Nothing to rub together and wear out. This makes it possible for the cells to last almost as long as you do! Of course, if you’re 20 years old now, and live to be 100, you might need to replace them somewhere along the way . But, they have been known to last for many years.

One of the best advantages of a solar power home is that it’s “green.” This is an over-used word, but very accurate when it comes to solar power. The natural resource of the sun is a great thing, and it never runs out. You’re also not wearing out or using up a resource. The sun just keeps shining. Accessing the power of the sun is a “win-win” situation. There is enough to go around for you and everyone else.

Disadvantages: Like everything else, there can be disadvantages. The only disadvantage with solar power is that, if you have someone install a system for you, it can be a little on the expensive side. However, with the growing popularity of solar power for the home, has also come a more inexpensive way to do it. The best way to cut installation costs is by the purchase of a kit. Yes, do it yourself! Kits nowadays are very easy to use. They come with step-by-step instructions that make the process very simple. Not only is a kit less expensive, when you’re finished, you’ll have that feeling of real accomplishment. You’ve done something that will save you money and is good for the earth.

Earlier we mentioned the fact that when it’s cloudy you will produce less electricity. That is true. However, even though it’s cloudy, power is still being produced. You will find that sunny days make up for any loss on cloudy days. Just plan on that fact, and you’ll never be disappointed with your solar power home.

Best Solution: The least expensive way to install a solar power system is the do-it-yourself kit mentioned earlier. Theses kits are have changed a lot in the past few years and are very easy to use. Even if you’re not the “Mr/Ms fix-it” type, the instructions are very simple to follow. And of course, you can always find a friend to help! Please click below if you would like more information about do-it-yourself solar power home kits.

Brenda Adcock is an Internet Marketer who has a passion for taking care of the earth. She has made a commitment to helping others find ways to improve their life and be good to our world at the same time.

Solar Power Home

http://www.solarpowerhomeinc.com/uncategorized/solar-power-home

Make Solar Power – 4 Advantages of Your Own Solar Power System

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:21:08 +0000

Solar energy is gaining popularity among the alternative energy solutions. The main reason solar is becoming so popular is the abundance of solar energy available. Solar power can be used daily for cooking, lighting, and heating systems in your home. Here are the four advantages of having your own solar power system.

1. Green Solution – Solar power is a green energy solution that requires no additional fuel other than light from the sun and more importantly nothing harmful is released into the earth’s atmosphere.

2. Cheapest Solution – Solar energy is the cheapest alternative energy. It has some initial equipment cost but a few years after installation you will have free energy from the sun and say goodbye to the bills from the power company.

3. Easy Storage – Solar power can be stored for future use. So even on dark, cloudy days you can enjoy power from the sun’s energy. This is an advantage over conventional power which cannot be stored. This supply of stored solar energy will allow you to have power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

4. Low Maintenance – These systems are very easy to maintain with low cost and not much effort. This minimal maintenance will allow you to enjoy the benefits of your solar power system.

So, as you can see, having your own solar power system has many advantages. It is great for the environment, inexpensive, easily stored, and easy to maintain. You can then use your solar energy for cooking, lighting, and heating in your home.

And if you would like more information about solar and wind power systems and how you can do it yourself l visit our website at http://www.jrkfamilyoutdoors.com/greenenergy Sign up for our free newsletter and receive helpful tips and special reports about saving money on your energy costs.

Do I Really Need Solar Power For Homes?

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:20:15 +0000

What do you see when you look at the sky? A blue sky with white clouds or a grey sky? Do you feel it is sometimes difficult for you to breathe? You must have experienced those situations and you know that the pollution problem is getting worse day by day. Do you want to make a change? Yes you can. It is very easy because you can now decide to use a clean energy, solar power, to supply electricity for your houses. You will no longer cause pollution.

Apart from making our environment cleaner, it is a cost-effective choice to have solar energy for home. All of us know that the prices of oil and coal are increasing. We hate the monthly electric bills. But we often forget one thing. Solar energy is free. We just have to build a solar energy system for our home and then we can enjoy free energy everyday. By making a solar power system for home, we can completely get rid of power bills and save extra money.

I know you are thinking of one question. How can I build the system? Thanks to the continuous effort of scientists, you can now build solar energy systems on your own. There are tons of DIY solar power house guides on the Internet. Some of them are of very high quality. They will provide you manuals, videos and a membership in their private discussion forum. You can just follow their instructions and then build the system in just a weekend.

If you can get a good guide and you carefully follow their step-by-step instructions, you will see that your electric bills are reducing month by month. Once you prove it works, you can even build a bigger system to save for money. And you need not worry about the maintenance. Of course, a illustrated guide will teach you how to do so but solar energy system does not require lots of maintenance. You just have to regularly clean the solar panels so that they can collect enough sunlight.

It is absolutely a wise choice to have solar power for homes because you will be using a clean and renewable source of energy. You will save our world. You can breathe cleaner air. You need not worry about the expensive power bills. And most likely, you can get return in just a few weeks because you will no longer pay any money for the electric company. Get a DIY solar energy house guide and have solar power for homes now.

If you’ve enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Solar Power for Homes, you’ll love everything else you find at Solar Power for Homes.

How to Make Solar Panels – Top Tips For You to Build Solar Panels

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:18:01 +0000

Today everyone is looking to save money. That is why people are look for information on how to make solar panels so that they can reduce the cost of energy in the home. People like saving money and learning how to build solar panels is a great way to do that.

The Internet Eases the Whole Process

With the onset of the Internet and the ease with which one can get information it is easy to learn how to make solar panels by surfing the web. In fact after you learn what you need to know and are sure how to build solar panels, you can order the supplies that you need right online and have them delivered which will save you gas as well.

As you start researching how to make solar panels you will come to the realization that it is easy to do. You can find out how to build solar panels using very common items that are readily available locally and via the Internet and for a small investment you will be able to save a lot of actual cash for years to come in energy savings.

The Major Benefits of Homemade Solar Energy Panels

Many people start researching how to make solar panels to be able to lessen dependence on the utility company so that they can have a back up source of energy in an emergency situation. However, once they get started and see how easy and inexpensive it can be, they begin to do so and totally free themselves and soon become free from the electric company and often use the electric company as a back up to their solar system.

The true benefits of learning how to make solar panels and installing them is that as you begin to learn how to build solar panels you are saving money, energy and the earth. So you are being kind to your family economy, future generations of people and to the Earth, as we know it.

While saving money is a great reason to learn how to make solar panels it is really sort of icing on the cake. There is a sense of satisfaction that go along with creating something that frees you from dependence on a large utility company. In fact many families make it project that they can all get involved with so that that sense of pride and accomplishment covers the whole family.

If you involve your children in the project and they learn how to build solar panels, it can become something that interests them. There fore as they grow into adulthood they may be more likely to become involved in it with their family. This can be a cycle that is great for everyone.

Top Tips for Learning How to Build Solar Panels

So now that you have decided to learn how to make solar panels, what kinds of things do you need to get and where do you need to install them once they have been constructed?

Your geographic location will dictate where you have to direct the panels to capture the maximum power. General rule here is if you live in the northern hemisphere, aim it south, and if you live in the southern hemisphere, aim it north.

Once you have that information you are ready to learn the details of how to build solar panels and to do that you will need these basic things. Saw for cutting, soldering iron gun, paint brush, rosin flux pen, wire cutters, screwdriver, caulking gun, volt meter, plexiglass cutters, drill, plywood sheeting, plexiglass, tin wire, solder, silicon caulk, UV-ray protective varnish and solar cells (microcrystal cells usually cost around $2 a piece).

While the whole process of exactly how to make solar panels is a bit more involved than we can actually address in a small article such as this, the key idea is that you need to construct a frame out of plywood and plexiglass to house your solar power panels and they need to be wired together in this enclosure. The entire unit once done will collect the energy from the sun and send it through each panel as it is collected and then out the end cable.

While you learn how to build solar panels you will see that you need a way to store that energy. This is usually a form of rechargeable battery. That stored up power is then sent to device, which converts what you have stored up into 120-volt power, which can then be used to power up things within the house.

As you work on exactly how to make solar panels you will see that it takes a lot of these devices to be able to become free from the utility company. You will need to do some work on setting up a grid system inside the dwelling that will allow you to easily switch from one to the other and to put several of these large panels together to run more things.

It is Just the Beginning

Learning how to build solar panels is the beginning of the job. You will then need to learn how to effectively harness, store and distribute that power. Again, this is all fairly simple to do and can be done, for the most part with commonly available items from the Internet.

You can work on what you learn about how to make solar panels as a part time hobby and as time and finances allow. It is not doubt that you will find yourself being drawn in and building more of them as you get into the build process.

Learning how to build solar panels can be a hobby that can and will pay you and your family significant dividends over your lifetime. The Internet is a great place to learn about making these things and a phenomenal place to save money on the parts once you begin to build.

If you take the time to learn how to do it correctly you will find that you can easily construct a quality panel over a fairly short period of time and in no time at all you and your family can begin to pull yourself off the commercial power grid and become more and more sufficient on yourselves.

Are you ready to make solar panels on your own? I hope you enjoy what I share about how to build solar panels and you will be joining us to save our world together now.

Build Your Own Homemade Solar Panels & Save the Environment Now

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:48:06 +0000

Are Homemade Solar Panels Possible, Economical, and Useful?

With energy prices rising steadily over the last few decades and no reason to think they’ll fall anytime soon, many homeowners are exploring the option of powering their homes with renewable, or “green”, power systems. The two most common home green energy systems are wind turbines and solar panels. Of these two, solar energy panels have emerged as the most popular, due to their solid-state nature – meaning that with fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance over the years.

Unfortunately, installing a solar power system in your home can be prohibitively expensive. Having pre-made solar power panels professionally installed costs at least $3000 – and the price tag only rises quickly from there. To reduce this huge cost, many homeowners are exploring the possibility of building and installing their own homemade solar panels. You may be one of them.

If so, you probably have a lot of questions. Can the average person really build a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) solar power system in their garage or basement? If they could, would it really be significantly cheaper than having it professionally installed? And finally, would homemade solar panels provide enough electricity to be worth all the time and effort? This article will seek to answer these questions.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Solar Power System?

• You can reduce or even eliminate your power bill.
• If you generate surplus electricity, you can sell it to your local power company.
• You can increase the property value of your home.
• You can get tax deductions for using eco-friendly home power systems.
• You no longer have to worry about power outages.
• You help protect the environment – solar energy produces no greenhouse gasses.

What Are the Benefits of Building Homemade Solar Panels?

• Money. Over half of a contractor’s installation fee is time and labor. If you provide this yourself, you can drastically reduce the cost of building and installing your own home solar power system.

• Time. You can build your homemade solar panels in stages, adding new panels and producing more electricity at your own pace.

• Education. By building a home solar power system yourself, you’ll learn how solar electrical technology works. You’ll be able to perform your own maintenance and repairs, further reducing your costs.

Where Can I Find the Materials to Build a Homemade Solar Panel?

Almost all the materials you’ll need to build a DIY solar panel (such as copper wire, plywood, glass, silicone, etc.) can be found at either your local hardware store (such as Home Depot) or electronics store (such as Radio Shack). The same goes for the tools and equipment you’ll need to build your homemade solar panels. Any tool you don’t already have in your garage or basement (such as a voltage meter), you can buy at your local hardware or electronics store.

The lone exception to this rule is the photovoltaic solar cells that you’ll need to build together into DIY solar power panels. Unless you live in a very large city with a specialized solar hardware store, you’ll probably need to order these online or you can make it on your own.

Where Should I Place My Homemade Solar Panels?

The two most common places to put DIY solar panels are either on the roof of your house, or on the ground in your yard.

The roof has emerged as the most popular location for two reasons. First, in order to convert sunlight into electricity, solar energy panels need a direct line-of-sight between them and the sun. Trees, other buildings, or any other obstacle that provides shade or otherwise gets in the way will block the sun from your homemade solar panels. The easiest way to solve this problem is to raise the solar power panels up higher than the obstacles. To do that, of course, you should place the DIY solar panels on the roof.

Second, solar energy panels are big, and take up a lot of space. Furthermore, you will probably need more than one to power your entire home. If you mount your homemade solar panels on the ground, you may quickly fill your entire yard. Mounting DIY solar panels in the roof instead has the advantage of keeping them out of the way and freeing up your yard.

Ground-mounted solar power panels, however, do have one big advantage: accessibility. It is much easier and safer to walk out into your yard than on the roof of your house to perform maintenance and repairs to your homemade solar panels. If you live in a part of the country where there are few trees, such as the Great Plains or the Southwest, and if you own enough property (like a farm) to mount several DIY solar panels and have room to spare, perhaps ground-mounted solar energy panels are the way to go.

What Direction Should I Point My Homemade Solar Panels?

Placing your DIY solar panels perfectly flat, facing straight up, is the best option. This way, no matter where the sun is in the sky or at what angle, sunlight is still hitting the solar panel somewhere. Unfortunately, however, many homes have angled roofs instead of flat, making the “pointing straight up” option impractical. In this case, mount your DIY solar panels on the south-facing side of your roof to collect the most sunlight. In the continental United States, the sun is in the southern part of the sky for the most part.

How Can I Build Homemade Solar Panels?

The answer to that question goes way beyond the scope of this brief article. What we can do, however, is point you in the right direction. The easiest and most efficient route for you to go is to buy a step-by-step instruction manual on how to build DIY solar panels from one of the many websites that sell them. These are usually $50 or less, and well worth the money.

Not all instruction manuals for DIY solar power panels are equal, however. Here are some things to look for when shopping online for a good instruction manual:

• Clear, Step-by-Step Instructions (instead of just overviews)
• Simple, Plain English (instead of confusing technical terms and slang)
• Multiple, Clear Illustrations (instead of just text)
• Demonstration Videos (although not necessary, they are very, very helpful)
• Shopping Tips (for solar cells, deep-cycles batteries, and other hard-to-find items)
• Good Reviews (from past customers)
• Price (more than $60 is too much)

If you can find a high-quality manual, you will start enjoying the benefits of DIY solar panels within 2 weeks, because the manual should be able to teach you to build homemade solar energy panels in just a weekend.

If you’ve enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Homemade Solar Panels, you’ll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

The Process of Making a Solar Panel

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:46:57 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, building a solar panel yourself is really not that hard, or expensive. In fact, you can have one up and running for just $200! All you need is a couple of materials from your hardware store and a good guide to walk you through it. Some of the materials which you will need are: plywood or plastic board, solar cells, UV protector, Flex-glass, silicone, tin wire, solder and solder iron or gun, nuts, bolts, rosin flux pen, and a junction box. You will also need a volt meter to test your solar panel, you can borrow one of these though.

The first thing you’ll be doing is making a template. This is basically making the foundation for the solar panel. This is like the planning stage of the project, where you make sure everything is going to fit correctly.

Then you will be cutting your materials to fit the template you just designed. This includes cutting out how many solar cells you are going to need to power whatever it is you are trying to power. If you want 200w of power then you would simply cut out 100 solar cells. During this step you will also be coating the wood or plastic with UV guard.

The you will be cutting the tab wire for the panel. This includes making sure they are the right length, and soldering them to the necessary places. The Power4Home guide will teach you how to do this in detail. Then you will be working with the solder gun flux pen. You will also be doing so some soldering in this step as well.

Next you will be attaching the solar cells in rows. If you are making a 50 cell panel then you would make 5 rows with 10 cells in each row. In this step you will also be attaching the cells to each other. Then you want to test it with the volt meter, to make sure you have done all of the previous steps correctly. After you have made sure everything is okay, then you will be using the silicone to the cell rows to the panel. Once you have done this, you’ll be pulling the wires through the junction box. Finally you will frame the solar panel to wrap up the job.

This was simply a vague description of the process of making a solar panel. If you would like an in depth guide that will tech you how to do it step by step, then I would recommend the Power4Home guide. It is packed with instructions, diagrams, and 3+ hours of instructional video. The guide is so easy to follow, even a small child could do it.

Building a Solar Panel

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:41:17 +0000

A lot of people are under the impression that solar panels are some kind of super high tech device that is built in a laboratory grade factory. The truth is, solar panels are actually quite easy to build, if you have the right guide to teach you. Building a solar panel is most definitely worth the time, because it will save you thousands of dollars per year on electricity, and it will also help the environment as well. If you are looking to “go green”, then I would highly recommend you consider building your own solar panel as your first option.

Once you know how to construct a solar panel, you will then have the ability to increase the size of the system, make critical adjustments, and even offer your services to people in the community. This will give you the opportunity to MAKE money off of your new found talent. In fact, in the Power4Home guide there is even a entrepreneurship section, that teaches you exactly how you can start your own business with your ability to make solar panels.

You don’t have to use the solar panel that you build for your home only. It can be used anywhere you see fit, including in the RV, the boat, the cabin, the car or anywhere else you would need power. A solar panel basically serves as storage place for solar cells. The solar cells absorb the sun’s rays and convert them into energy that we can use, electricity. After you have learned how to contain the solar cells, then building the solar panel is really just learning how to wire the panels.

There are several kinds of solar cells that you may choose to work with. If you are on a budget, then you may choose to work with refurbished or even damaged solar cells. A lot of the time, you can find damaged solar cells that will still do their job efficiently. If you are going to use damaged cells, then you should learn how to inspect them and see what is worth buying and what is not.

If you would like to learn how to build a solar panel, then you are going to need a good guide. One such guide is the Power4Home guide. It is packed with instructions, diagrams and even more than 3 hours of instructional video! With this guide, even a small child could learn how to build a solar panel. The guide also has a section that teaches you how to make wind turbines as well. There is even a section for entrepreneurship, that will teach you how to start your own business with your newfound knowledge!

Build Your Own Solar Power Systems – The 4 Basic Things You Need

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:26:23 +0000

Do you want to build your own solar power systems, but you’re not sure if you can? You’d be surprised how much of what you need you already have at hand or can get easily. Many people are making their own systems and using them to get off the grid and stop paying electric bills. You can too. Here’s what you need to make your own solar system.

Basic skills. First, what you don’t need. You don’t need Einstein’s mind or an advanced degree in physics. It will help if you can swing a hammer and caulk some glass because it’s cheaper to make your own system than it is to buy one pre-made and get it installed.

Supplies. People think that you need exotic components to build a photovoltaic system. Fortunately, the supplies you need are common. You may have many of them in your garage. You can certainly find them at the local hardware store. You’ll get the amounts and measures indicated in your guide, but what you’ll be looking for will be essentially this list.
1. Metal scissors
2. Sandpaper
3. Motor
4. Tower
5. Electrical stove
6. Copper leads
7. Copper flashing sheet
8. Silicon caulk
9. Glass
10. Plywood

Plans and instructions. You’ll need to do a bit of research to make sure you are up to doing this project. Get a guide with plans. It isn’t hard, but you don’t want to have to go back and start over. A good guide will have step-by-step instructions and the best have videos.

A dedicated mindset. You’re taking on a project that is straightforward and yet uncommon. You’re distinguishing yourself from the crowd. Having a little gumption will go a long way. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can build your own solar power system.

You can see that building solar power systems doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, if you have basic skills, supplies, and commitment, you can do it yourself and save up to 80% on the cost of pre-built systems installed by contractors.

Start with a site that can offer good reviews of systems that teach you to build solar power for homes and other products that make green energy easy.

You’ll find reviews of green energy sites, FREE tips on getting off the grid, and advice on finding great contractors anywhere in the country at http://GetOfftheGrid-Today.com

Converting Your Home to Solar Power

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 00:19:04 +0000

Many people believe that converting your home to a solar home is expensive, but that is really not the case. If you already own the home, you can make a few modifications that will accommodate the generators and solar panels.

It will be a bit pricey if you hire a contractor to design the plan for your solar powered home. You can cut the cost considerably by making the solar panels yourself. You don’t have to have a background in physics since making the solar panels for your home is very easy as long as you are able to follow directions.

You may be pleasantly surprised that there are many books and resources available on the Internet that will teach you how to fully functional solar panels. Before you begin to convert your home into a solar powered home there are some things to be considered.

The first step that needs to be taken to convert a home to solar power is to draw up a precise plan. People often get so caught up in the excitement of helping our environment that they purchase the very first renewable energy system they find.

Although it is not necessary to be a genius to harness the power of the sun, you need a good action plan so you can reach your goals with ease. It is really not necessary to replace your windows or change the roof in order to accommodate the new solar power system.

It will also pay to start checking the options that are available when you want to make a solar home. If you are low on cash, you can help the environment even more by searching for materials for the solar generators from recycled or junk materials.

Think outside of the box and look for an eco-friendly solution for your family. If you do this you will be teaching your kids to be conscious and resourceful regarding the many benefits of recycling.

The installation of the system is an important step in your efforts to convert your home to a solar home. The installation is critical since improper installation could affect the ability of the panels to generate solar. If you want to avoid future headaches it would be a good idea to hire professionals for the job. However, if you are confident with your skills then there is absolutely no reason you can’t install the system on your own.

Don’t forget that the government wants people to convert their homes to eco-friendly dwellings so they are offering rebates and tax credits to encourage people to use renewable energy sources.

You can read more from Steven C. Jones on his blog about solar homes and renewable energy.

The Benefits of Home Solar Panels

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:17:52 +0000

There are many benefits associated with home solar panels. The popularity of these products has drastically increased since the movement that promotes green living. Now that we are obtaining an understanding of how our lifestyle choices affect the environment as a whole, we have gained an understanding of the fact that clean energy sources, or those that are considered to be “renewable” are the most productive sources of energy that we can choose. They are cost effective, true, but the most important aspect of these types of energy is that they have a positive impact on our environment, and on the earth as a whole. In this guide, you will be introduced to the various benefits of home solar panels.

If you are interested in learning ways that you can reduce the carbon footprint that you have created by your lifestyle choices, you will discover that installing home solar panels and implementing the use of those panels are one of the easiest and most beneficial actions that you can take. These panels are an excellent means of reducing pollution in the environment. They take the natural energy emitted from the sun, and then converts that energy in order to power various areas of our homes, or the home as a whole. This is why it is considered to be a “renewable” form of energy – it is energy that can be created over and over again without depleting natural resources.

The government works diligently to promote the implementation of renewable energy among home owners. There are a number of programs available for those who wish to purchase home solar panels and similar items that provide funding for the endeavor, which you can benefit from. If you are interested in researching these programs, you will be pleased to discover that you can find tax credits such as “Solar Energy Systems”, and “Energy Star”. The credit, at this point in time, covers 30% of the total costs associated with the project! You may also qualify for rebates that can help refund your savings on the amount that you have spent on the project.

Installing home solar panels can prove to be quite an expense. However, it should be noted that the positive impact on the environment as well as the savings that will incur as a result of implementing the use of these panels through your utility costs make the expense worthwhile. The government reward systems are intended to promote the use of these products and to assist with the potentially overwhelming expense associated with these items that create clean energy. The programs specialize in assisting with not only home solar panels, but also with turbines that create energy from the wind and similar devices.

As you can see, the government reward programs as well as the fact that you can drastically reduce your carbon footprint are excellent benefits associated with the implementation of home solar panels, but these are not the only benefits. You can also benefit by experiencing less expense associated with your electricity output. You can live “off the grid” and enjoy thousands of dollars a year in savings! In less than a year’s time, you are likely to find that the amount of money that you have saved more than covers the initial investment of the installation of your new solar panels.

It is common for electricity companies to raise their prices with little to no advance notice. These price adjustments are often a direct result from fluctuating stocks in oil, coal, and other sources that are required to create electricity. By utilizing home solar panels, you can successfully avoid experiencing these often outrageous price fluctuations. That, in itself, is a major benefit associated with using natural energy created through the use of the sun’s rays.

There have been many technological developments as far as the establishments of home solar panels are concerned. Long gone are the days when only basic features were considered to be the only options with solar panels for the home. In today’s world, you can choose from many different features, shapes, sizes, and other options. Adaptability and core functioning are at the fore front of panel technology to ensure that they can be easily implemented in the home.

As you can see, there are many benefits associated with home solar panels. The manufacturers of these devices have designs available that make the units practical and easy to install in the home. Based on the information contained here, you can easily see that the advantages associated with home solar panels are numerous. Reduce your grid consumption, recycle the sun’s rays, and reuse the power over and over today – all with home solar panels!

You can read more from Steven C. Jones on his blog about home solar panels and renewable energy.

Solar Power as an Alternative Energy

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 07:05:18 +0000

As the world finally comes to terms with the fact that the use of oil based and fossil fuels as a primary source of energy is not infinite, the real hope for economic prosperity and energy independence in the United States is in the research and development of alternative fuel sources. There has also been much talk in the recent twelve months regarding the need to develop methods of harnessing and distributing “clean” alternative energy sources which will not negatively impact the environment by depleting natural energy sources or causing air or water pollution in the processing of fuels for energy.

Not only has the search for renewable fuel sources become a matter for global resource responsibility, but also a matter of national security and fiscal responsibility to the citizens of the U.S. to relieve them from being hostage to hostile foreign entities who controls the primary means of energy resources for our country. Alternative energy sources must be developed within the U.S. to secure it’s independence from foreign energy sources.

Solar and wind energy are the first alternatives that come to mind when considering other possibilities for producing energy, as these sources are unending in their availability and are free. Unfortunately, the harnessing of these energy sources and the conversion to usable energy for providing electricity and automotive fuels is currently still cost prohibitive. As the state and federal government bodies begin to recognize and concede large scale funding to the opportunities for energy independence through these forms of renewable energy, the cost of the products, power conversion, and installation will dramatically drop. Unfortunately, the fear is that the gas and electricity companies will, by then, have contrived a way to harness the dispersing of the converted energy, resulting in little cost savings to the consumer, although still relieving the rampant use of fossil fuels and pollution output affecting the global ecology.

As it stands today, the residential consumer can contract with a solar energy company to have a solar panel system installed on there home which will, in effect, convert the home to a “hybrid” which remains on the electric company’s energy grid, but allows the home to exclusively use its collected solar energy for electricity and heating when the conditions are favorable at no cost. In fact, electric companies in most areas are converting their billing systems to provide credits to the homeowner when enough solar energy is collected to supercede the current energy needs of the home. Therefore, you do not pay for electric service when your solar panels are doing their job, when it’s a cloudy day, you will pay for electricity you use from the electrics company’s power grid – BUT – if your solar panels have collected and converted more energy than you need, this energy is transferred back to the overall electric grid and the electric company will post a credit to your electric bill. You are, in effect, storing your unused solar energy with the electric company for future use, at no cost. Good deal !
Most solar panel fabricators and installers will also attest that you can eventually end up making money off of the electric company if your panels produce enough excess energy to greatly supercede your use. Since you are collecting the energy, and the electric company is providing the excess to its other customers by means of its electrical grid, the electric company will then pay you for the energy it is providing.