Solar Power

woensdag 4 maart 2015

Off the Grid Living - Make Your Own Solar Power

Living off the grid is something that many people out there are beginning to do. The "off grid" lifestyle is all about having the freedom to use renewable energy resources, such as solar power, wind power, and water power. It helps conserve energy and helps keep the environment cleaner and friendlier. And more and more people are starting to shift this way, as our natural resources are slowly starting to become depleted.

One of the greatest sources of alternative energy is solar power. It's been around for quite a few years now, and is used in a variety of applications.

Solar power is now becoming more popular in the home industry, as more homeowners are beginning to make the switch to solar power. Not only does it help keep the environment clean and resourceful, but it helps cut down on the monthly power bill drastically.

Most solar power systems are fairly expensive if built and installed by a professional. If you want to utilize the benefits of solar power without spending an arm and a leg, you can actually build your own solar panels that have the capability to power your home! Or, you can build a few small ones and use them to power small appliances, which will still help cut your power bill.

How can you build a solar panel? You can find most of the materials at your local hardware store. In fact, it's extremely cheap to make one of your own. I would also suggest that you find an excellent set of instructions or a guide that will show you how to build a solar panel the right way, so you can get the maximum benefits from it.

DIY Solar Panels and Windmills Building Guides

Earth 4 Energy
Make your own solar panels or wind turbine.
More info here

Home Made Power Plant
There are some other guides for DIY wind and solar generators, but all of those that I've read don't get into the same details.
More info here

dinsdag 3 maart 2015

Tax Incentives For Installing Solar Hot Water Heaters

One of the newest and best innovations to home appliances is solar hot water heaters. They actually use solar energy to help heat the water for your home while cutting back on the emissions as well as the energy they use. They are for the homeowner that is transforming their home into a green house. Not only are they using fluorescent light bulbs but they are beginning to use this type of water heater to help with the environment as well. In addition to turning their homes green they are making an investment in their home.

There are tax incentives that allows homeowners to reclaim up to $1500 on the purchase as well as the installation of solar hot water heaters. That means if you pay $3000 to purchase the system and have it installed, you may qualify to reclaim half of that on your taxes at the end of the year. You will also be saving money on utility bills because it costs less to operate these systems.

If you think you are stuck with your gas guzzling, antique hot water heater because you can't afford to buy one because the prices are too high, think again. Manufacturers heard and responded to the needs of low income homeowners as well.

Some manufacturers offer consumers kits to make and install their own solar hot water heaters. Some companies sell you the plans while others actually sell you the materials, plans and everything needed to get it up and running.

With these kits come many benefits but the best benefit is that fact that you are the one who built the system and if it ever needs any repairing, you can do the work yourself instead of hiring a repair man. This is another money saving feature of this type of heater.

Most solar heaters are powered by the sun, true but they usually have an electric pump that operates to transfer the water through the system. For this reason these water heaters often cut back up to 50% of the energy consumption used compared to their electric or gas counterparts. A passive heater does not use an electric or gas powered pump to circulate the water through the system. It uses radiation from the sun to heat the water and keep it moving continuously. This can save up to another 10% to 15% of energy consumption.

Both residential and commercial properties can benefit from the use of solar powered heaters. In fact some large homes can benefit from the use of a commercial system. These provide hot water for a home that is much more demanding on a hot water system. The savings could be even greater for homes and businesses that use them. You should consult your local retailers to see what is recommended for your size of home. It could be that solar water heaters are not for you at all.

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Building Affordable Home Solar Energy Systems

Today, many people believe that home solar energy is only useful if it is turned into electricity. At the same time, they may be missing an enormous number of methods for reducing the cost of energy in their home. Among other things, you do not need a photovoltaics panel in order to use passive solar heating systems, and many other devices.

Over the years, many books have been written on solar systems and how to build them. Even if you are not a contractor, you can study these books and purchase affordable materials. As an example, you may want to design a home cooling system. Irregardless of whether you make changes to your roof, or build a dessication system, you can take advantage of many different solar devices.

As you study these systems, you are bound to learn a great deal about materials that collect heat as well as ones that distribute it. Depending on your interests and inclinations, you may even see the potential for building a completely new product. Considering the slow rate of progress in solar energy devices, you may even find that you can obtain a patent and start your own business. As more people turn to solar products in order to seek relief from egregious fuel bills, you may find that you will be able to build a healthy trade.

Unfortunately, many houses were not built with solar energy methods in mind. That said, you can obtain renovation grants that will help you incorporate a wide range of systems. In addition, if you are planning to build a new home, this will be the perfect opportunity to make sure that your home and property are as energy efficient as possible. That said, if you buy property or a home in a community that will supply an underground thermal system, you may save as much as 50% of your current energy expenses.

Aside from this, you can use some very simple forms of technology to save money on energy every single day. In particular, you may want to build a solar cooker. For less than $10.00, you can purchase a cardboard box, tin foil, glue, poster board, mason jars, oven bags, and black spray paint. Surprisingly enough, you can build a perfectly functional solar cooker with these minimal items. If you live in Arizona, or other warm climates, you may even find that you will not need to use anything else for cooking food.

For the most part, you will find that residential solar energy technologies span a wide range of methods, products, and devices. Irregardless of where you choose to begin working with home solar energy, your ultimate goal should be complete independence from commercial energy sources. In many cases, you will find that this particular goal is more achievable than you realize. With just a little bit of research, you may even discover that you can spend less than $20.00 and still cut your energy bills by a significant amount.

DIY Solar Panels and Windmills Building Guides

donderdag 19 februari 2015

Make Your Own Solar Panels For Your Home For a Healthier Environment

There are many companies out there that will allow you to purchase their pre-made solar panels that they will come out and install for you, but this can prove to be a little on the expensive side. Believe it or not, you can make your own solar panels for your home and it is easier than you might think.

You can order instructions or you might be able to find directions online. The key though is to make sure that you are building the correct size of solar electric panels and that you are building enough of them. If you want to make sure that your home completely runs off of solar power, you have to figure out just how much electricity your home requires on an average day.

Of course, you do not have to start off with all of the panels right away if your budget is a little tight. There are many people who decide to go for the solar energy but have to build up to being completely self sufficient with natural energy. Say for example your home requires five panels in order to be completely off the grid, if you can only afford to install two panels, you are still off to a great start. You are still saving money and helping the environment. Over time, you can build and install the additional solar panels you need. You can always make solar panels for your home when you need additional. The main thing is to make sure that are at least getting started and setting yourself up on the right track.

After you do make your own solar panels for your home, you want to make sure that you are being very careful with the installation. Depending on your home, your land and your local area rules, you may be placing your solar panels on your home or in your yard. Do make sure that you are checking with your local town office to make sure that you are getting the right building permits or other permission required. This is just to make sure that you are doing everything by the book.

Even though there are a few steps that you will have to take in order to make sure that you make your own solar panels for your home he correct way, the environmental and the financial benefits are well worth it. Sure, the building of solar panels will cost you a little bit of money up front, but the savings on your electric bill will make it all worth while. You can literally save yourself thousands and thousands of dollars just by switching over to solar panels instead of continuing to use the electric companies energy that produces toxic fumes into the air, harming people, animals and plant life alike.
Solar Energy for Your Home is a great way to save money and help the environment.

DIY Solar Panels and Windmills Building Guides

DIY Solar Electricity - It's Easier Than You Think

There are so many benefits to getting off the grid and using your own electricity that the list might be able to go on and on forever. One of the main reasons people will go for the installation of solar panels is that they will save themselves a lot of money in the long run. The upfront cost is something that can sometimes scare people away from taking on a DIY solar electricity project, but once you calculate how much money you will save within the next several years, you will see that it would actually be a financial waste to not install solar panels.

Depending on the size of your home and the amount of electricity you need to generate, you might find that it takes a couple of year's worth of savings on the electric bill before the DIY solar electricity project is paid for. After that, for the remaining time that you have in that home, you will have all of the electricity you could ever want and it will not cost you a dime.

This is a free legal form of electricity that you are in total control over. No one can shut off your lights during the winter, which would in turn shut off your furnace if you live in a colder region. No one can swoop in and raise the cost of energy on you, without your permission. You will be in complete control of when you use your electricity and how much of it you use.

Another thing that makes some people think twice about a DIY solar electricity project is that they think that only highly trained professionals are the ones that are able to handle such a project. This is simply not true. Creating and installing your own solar panels is a lot easier than you think. There are many sets of instructions and guides out there that can walk you through the process, step by step, which means you will not have any trouble at all. This is also not a project that is going to take you a very long time to complete. You will find that just a day, or maybe even a weekend, is enough time to completely make and install your solar panels. Of course, if you live in a super sized mansion, you might need a little more time.

If you have a friend or a family member that has completed their own DIY solar electricity project, you might want to see if they would be willing to lend you a hand. Their advice and experience can also be a way to make sure that the job gets finished quickly for you. Once you are finished with your project, you will look back and wonder just what took you so long to start saving money on electricity in the first place.

DIY Solar Electricity is a great way to save money and help the environment.

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Solar Energy Homes - Making the Sensible Choice

Most people feel energized by the sunshine on a beautiful summer day; the bright, hot sunlight bathes the body with healing energy and vitamin D. Sunlight can also provide solar energy homes with much needed energy in the form of electricity, through the use of solar panels.

And, you don't have to live in the sunshine State to benefit from solar panel energy. Anywhere there is a little sunlight, even if for a few short hours a day, you'll be able to harness the energy from the sunshine.

Solar energy homes produce solar power by use of silicon wafers. When sunlight hits these wafers, electrons are released, which then flow through wires forming direct current (DC). This current is then sent to an electrical inverter where the current is converted to alternating current (AC).

This AC power is what your local power company charges you for when you purchase it from them. In solar energy homes, you bypass your local power company, thus decreasing or even eliminating your electrical bill.

It's even possible to get a paycheck back from your local power company. When solar energy homes produce more electricity than they use, your local power company may opt to purchase your excess electricity, resulting in a credit or a paycheck for you.

You can realize an increase in your property value, as well as tax savings, when you convert to solar power for your energy needs --- whether your home or business is in an urban area, a residential area, or out in the country.

Just as vitamin D from sunshine provides many health benefits for our body, sunshine provides many financial and environmental benefits for our solar energy homes and businesses. Using solar power in our homes and businesses saves us money, which in this economy isn't always easy, and it saves us peace of mind. By doing our part in decreasing the amount of pollution we produce, we are leaving a legacy of better air and a healthier environment for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.

So, it's not only financially feasible to use solar power; it's also an ethical and environmentally sound choice. Because you're not using a fossil fuel, which leaves a carbon footprint and in turn pollutes the air we breathe. You're doing the environmentally responsible thing - you're "going green".

You can choose to go with a retail solar power provider, who can install the solar panels in your home or business for you.

Or, you can save even more money and make your solar power unit yourself. It's relatively cost efficient to make a solar panel for your home or business; for around $200 per unit, you can build your own solar power unit in a weekend, using materials you purchase at your local hardware or home improvement center.

Solar energy homes are the wave of the future, both raising your home's equity and lowering your monthly debt burden. Doesn't it make sense to convert your home to a "green" home?

DIY Solar Panels and Windmills Building Guides

zondag 8 februari 2015

Save Money by Making Solar Panels For Your Home

Did you know that it is possible for the average person to make solar panels? I bet you are thinking that there is now way that you could accomplish such a task. However the fact is, that anyone with a good guide, a little bit of common sense and determination, and a couple hundred dollars can make solar panels on their own. If you were to decide to have them made and installed for you, then you are looking at being charged several thousand dollars by professionals.

For someone that is trying to save money on their power bill, this is simply not acceptable. After all, it would take about a decade for you to see a return on your investment if you paid a professional to install the solar panel for you! Not a very good way to "save" money is it?

But there is another option that you can use to have solar energy powering your home or business in no time! All you need is the right guide, and the right materials, combined with a little bit of DIY skills. There are even kits available that include all off the necessary components needed to make solar panels. These guides and kits have helped thousands upon thousand of individuals just like you to build their own solar panels. In fact, many of the guides come with guarantee's and even support! SO you will never have to worry about getting lost or confused during your DIY project.

Using solar energy has a number of quite obvious benefits such as allowing you to save money on your power bill or completely get rid of your power bill altogether. Another benefit of using solar panels, is that you will be helping the environment as well! On top of these benefits, you can start a business using the skills you have gained, and you can charge several thousand dollars per installation.

DIY Solar Panels and Windmills Building Guides