How many spare time activities can you name that can essentially wipe-out your electricity bills while lending a hand to saving the great green earth of ours? Well, picking up a DIY solar energy guide and building your own solar energy panels is a great place to start. Known to enthusiasts as “off grid living”, lessening your dependence on the commercial electrical grid and practicing self-sustainable methods of energy production is becoming quite popular.

Most Do it yourself solar energy guides will give you step by step instructions on how to build your own solar panels, battery specifications, calculating the amount of power needed for your system, etc. These are all important elements required to successfully install and run your own.

Look for a guide that is clearly written, contains lots of images, graphs and videos and lists out exactly what it is you need to do – and the tools and parts you will need to do it. You may think that building your own solar panels would call for some advanced equipment, but it’s a lot easier than you think! Most local hardware mega stores will have everything you need at decent prices under one roof.

Be sure you pick up a solar energy guide that is meant for DIY homeowners. Otherwise you may be getting product plugs and sales pitches in between your instructions. Conducting a simple search on Google for the term “diy solar energy” will give you pages of results to sift through. Check the customer reviews section and see what others have said about the guide you want to buy – usually if the people say it’s good, it’s good.

After reading through your DIY solar energy guide, it’s time to sit down and discuss the benefits with your family. Get everyone involved with the project and soon they will realize why you’re going green and it will only be a matter of time before they jump on the bandwagon with you.

Seeking the help of commercial installation companies can run you up a tab worth tens of thousands of dollars. There is absolutely no reason to spend this amount of money if all you want is a couple of solar panels to run your kitchen appliances. Converting to solar energy is about saving, and going with a big name company will incur a debt – plain and simple. Invest a few hundred dollars and a couple of weekends and you’ll be on your way to your very own solar energy system.

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Every month Mike and Chloe’s utility bill arrives in the mail and each time their gripe is the same, “this electric bill just gets higher and higher every month…it’s time we make some changes around here.” Then another month rolls by in which they’ve done nothing to alter their power usage and another outrageous power bill shows up. They repeat the same frustrated complaint, yet again they do nothing to make a difference and so the grunting and bill paying just repeats month after month and year after year. Sound familiar to you?

Like Mike and Chloe, millions of home owners exist in this scenario. The sad truth of the matter is that every consumer in this vicious energy cycle pays more for monthly power consumption than their parents paid for monthly mortgage payments! So what can our fictitious homeowners, Mike and Chloe, do to make any real difference in their power use and bills? Or, on a more personal level, what can you do to make a difference in yours? Well folks, there are some options:

• Option 1 – Sell everything electrical you own including your house and move into a cave. Hmmm, we’re going to need a lot more caves for this one.
• Option 2 – Wait for your city, town or block to someday form a green and clean energy co-op so they can stick it to you. This option is also known as the APBJSP (Advocates, Planners and Bureaucrats Job Security Plan).
• Option 3 – Turn your thermostat down until frost appears on your nose, disable your AC unit (sledge hammers work well for this), don’t cook, don’t wash anything including yourself, and limit your use of everything electrical to 3 minutes a day (except for your new iPad of course).
• Option 4 – Dig in and do-it-yourself. That’s right. Get off the grid by becoming a self-supplier of your own sustainable electricity.

Personally speaking, I prefer Option 4 and undoubtedly you will too. Ok, so how does one go about supplying their own sustainable electricity? Again, there are some options:

• Option A – Hire an electrical contractor who specializes in solar panel installations to convert your home to solar energy. One word comes to mind, expensive!
• Option B – Hire an electrical contractor who specializes in wind turbine installations to convert your home to wind energy. Ditto Option A.
• Option C – Design, build and install your own solar panel array or wind turbine energy system. Three words come to mind, inexpensive, challenging and rewarding!

If you have the money then by all means options A or B are excellent ways to turn your home into a clean, green snub the power company machine. However, most folks in these troubled times don’t have an extra $20-100K laying around the house to buy retail solar panels and wind turbines as well as pay high priced commercial contractors. Yes, I concede there are now a number of so-called “green” contractors who are offering green energy installment plans to homeowners who are cash strapped. Now isn’t that just a novel idea? Let’s all mortgage our rooftops or yards, pay more high interest on big loans, run up more personal dept, and when its all said and done pay more for self-supplied electricity than even the power company dares to charge. But hey, it will reduce our carbon footprints and that makes us feel good. We won’t get any sleep for figuring out how to pay next month’s installment, but we’ll be green.

Needless to say, I favor Option C. Yes it’s true. Anyone who can read and use everyday tools can become a do-it-yourself designer, builder and installer of their own solar energy and/or wind power systems. Challenging? Absolutely. In fact some may even find it more daunting than they care to consider. If that is you, please see options 1,2,3, A, or B. Rewarding? Sure is. There’s nothing in the rewards department that compares to forming a working plan, creating and installing a new system that benefits you and your family, and saving a boat load of money in the process. Inexpensive? Yes. Doing your own sustainable energy project costs pennies on a dollar compared to paying a contractor to do it for you. You can actually design, build and set up your own secondary solar or wind system for a couple hundred dollars. This system will provide partial power allowing you to reduce your on-grid power bill. For a couple thousand, or less if you’re a savvy parts shopper, you can power your entire house, garage and outdoor lighting. You’ll be green and you’ll sleep well at night.

How and where can you find the right information to start and finish your own DIY home solar energy or wind turbine project? Folks, look no further than the screen you are now staring at. That’s right, the entire internet is at your disposal and there’s a wealth of information out there waiting for you to use. Do your research, learn about solar energy and wind power, and seek well written guidance from DIY solar and wind energy experts. There are currently several good downloadable DIY green energy guides available on line which have been produced by experienced DIYers. I happen to favor two particular guides because they are written in understandable terms, have masterfully produced step-by-step videos, and offer 24/7 support to get you through any snags that may occur. If you’re truly serious about saving a lot of money by becoming a self-supplier of your own solar or wind electricity then your first step needs to be getting a great DIY energy guide. You’ll find convenient links below for my favorite guides but no matter how you approach this and any other DIY projects, always work smart and practice safety first.

Faine Morrison is a DIY home improvement enthusiast strongly bent towards saving money and going green when and wherever possible. If you enjoyed reading this article please take a moment to post a comment and share this. And, if you share the author’s penchant for DIY home improvement and sustainable energy you’ll benefit from checking out DIY Solar & Wind Systems and DIY Solar & Wind Energy, two of the do-it-yourself energy guides he recommends. Contact Author

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I’ve seen my title question posted on several DIY home improvement forums lately and I believe it’s a valid concern that should be addressed by experienced alternative energy DIYers. There’s a lot of interest in do-it-yourself kits and home made renewable energy solutions by people from all walks of life and many of them are searching for guidance. Those who are venturing into home-built off grid solar energy and wind power solutions for the first time should realize that, like everything else, these systems have up and downsides that need to be considered. This article briefly reviews some of these.

The list below covers some of the major pros and cons surrounding home solar energy and wind power generators (excluding the obvious and tediously overstated points that these systems utilize renewable energy, don’t pollute while operating and reduce carbon footprints.):

DIY Solar Pros:

• Noiseless Operation
• Safe To Be Near Properly Installed Panels
• Relatively Easy To Build And Install With Basic Understanding Of Electricity And Wiring
• Downloadable Technical Guides And Online Support Available For DIYers
• Minimal Maintenance Required
• Minimal Space Requirements/Good Sense Use Of Roof Areas
• Low Cost Recycled Components Available
• Good Power Output With Multiple PV Panels
• Time Tested, Proven And Popular Technology
• Renewable Energy Tax Credits May Be Available

DIY Solar Cons:

• Basic Understanding Of Wiring And Electricity Needed
• Requires Consistent Direct Sunlight Away From Shaded Areas
• Subject To Hail & Bird Damage/Breakage
• Not Well Suited For Long Winter Northern Climes (Limited Daylight/Heavy Snow Removal)
• Multiple Panels Needed To Fully Power House And Maintain Charged Batteries
• Roof Mounted Solar Panels May Lower House Resale Value
• Permit And Inspection Required In Most Locales

DIY Wind Pros:

• Relatively Easy To Build And Install With Basic Understanding Of Mechanics/Electricity
• Downloadable Technical Guides And Online Support Available For DIYers
• Can Be Built From Low Cost New And Recycled “Other Use” Components
• Good Power Output Attainable
• Time Tested, Proven Technology
• Does Not Detract From House Curb Appeal/Resale Value
• Attractive Alternative Energy System For Owners Of Rural Lots/Acreages/Farms
• Renewable Energy Tax Credits May Be Available

DIY Wind Cons:

• Proximity Noise May Be A Problem For Home Owner And Neighbors
• Spinning Blades Can Be Lethal To Birds And Tree Squirrels
• Subject To Damage Or Collapse From Severe Wind Conditions
• Requires Open Space Free Of Trees And Utility LInes To Operate
• Sufficient Yard Area Needed For Stabilizing Guy-Wires
• Proximity Hazards If Improperly Grounded
• Regular Maintenance Required
• Power Output Limited By Turbine Size/Power Train Adequacy
• A Basic Understanding Of Mechanics And Physics Needed
• Not Suitable To All Locations – Consistent Wind Days Required
• Not Popular With Some People Due To Noise And Hazard Potential
• Permit And Inspection Required In Most Locales

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of these renewable home energy applications and the significance of proper construction and installation. For many experienced do-it-yourself enthusiasts the pros of both solar and wind power outweigh the cons and drives the spirit of experimenting with alternative home energy technology. For the first-timer the cons can certainly be challenging and quite daunting, but learning new skills and applying them for one’s benefit is what DIY is all about. If you are a DIYer (seasoned pro or brand new) with the motivation to reduce or eliminate your dependence on public utilities, and you are up to the challenges, then building and installing your own solar and/or wind energy systems can be a highly rewarding project. The best advice one can give is to do your homework, create a well planned system design and seek out help when you need it.

There are several very good and inexpensive DIY solar energy and wind power guides available on the web which will lead you step-by-step through your project. I urge everyone who wants to build and install their own home energy system to select a guide, study it well and use it as the foundation of their project. Two of the popular guides that I recommend are linked below for your convenience. These are two of the best in terms of detailed instruction and video quality but there other ones on the web which you may prefer. Be safe, be smart and most of all enjoy your DIY home energy projects.

Faine Morrison is a DIY home improvement enthusiast strongly bent towards saving money and going green when and wherever possible. If you enjoyed reading this article please take a moment to post a comment and twit this. And, if you share the author’s penchant for DIY home improvement and sustainable energy you’ll benefit from checking out these links: DIY Solar Panels And Wind Turbines and DIY Alternative Energy Solutions which are two of the do-it-yourself guides he recommends. Contact Author

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Winter is the perfect time to devote to some of those projects that will enhance your property well into the future. The winter months are filled with cold or rainy weekends and long dark evenings and thus allow us the space to focus on jobs that we may not have the time or inclination do to at other times of the year.

One such DIY project, which can be easily undertaken in a garage or workroom, is building a DIY solar panel. Solar power when installed in a residential building is not only kind to the environment, but more importantly in these economic times, solar panels are cheap and easy to build and will save you substantial amounts on your power bills month on month going forward. Depending on where you live in the world, for example in the USA, you can also be eligible for tax incentives for installing solar power in your home.

A professionally installed solar panel system can set you back thousands of dollars but a DIY project can be undertaken for $200, maybe even as low as $100, as you will most probably have all the tools you will need and maybe some of the materials that you can recycle from other jobs.

The key thing to remember when undertaking a winter DIY project such as this, is to find a guide that truly walks you through all the steps from beginning to completion. It may also be helpful to view the steps in video format and have some technical support that you can refer to if you have any queries along the way. The best guides available can be found online, so that you can download them instantly and get stuck into the project as soon as you wish. They will also offer a period of money-back guarantee, so that you can check the product out and make sure it fulfils all your needs, with no risk to your pocket.

If a DIY project installing solar panels appeals to you, then you may also want to consider adding wind power to your house as another form of cheap, sustainable power, and again there are downloadable step- by- step guides available for these projects too.

Winter can sometimes be seen as a lull in the DIY calendar, but if you use the time wisely with these DIY projects you can achieve some great home enhancements that will be saving you money all year round.

Solar power can save you money. What was once a fad has taken off in a big way as government scientists look for ways to break our dependence on the dwindling supply of fossil fuels. Now that you have the opportunity, can you afford to use solar power?

Solar energy will pay for itself once you have set up the system but the problem is the initial cost to the consumer to get the system going. For a business, these costs can be handled because there is more capital available. For a homeowner, it is not as simple.

First of all, how much solar energy you will need to power your home depends on your energy consumption. With solar power, many families learn how to live on less to gain the most cost savings. If you live in the city, you are still tied to the grid system. This is the electrical grid that powers homes within the city limit and outlying areas.

Some want to eliminate their energy bill altogether. That requires more solar panels than someone who wants to subsidize their energy bill with a residential solar power system. Solar kits can run you anywhere from $8,000 to over $20,000. This includes the equipment, the cost of having the site inspected and hiring someone to prepare the land for the panels if mounted in the yard or having someone mount them on your home’s roof. You will also need the services of an electrician to wire the components into your home electrical system – even if you are on a grid intertied system (uses a battery to store solar electricity until needed).

The federal government and state governments applaud those who are committed to saving energy and reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. You can look into government tax incentives and grants to defray a portion of the overall cost.

For those who are ambitious and like DIY projects, you can create your own residential solar power system. Choose a DIY kit that gives you all the information and blueprints for the system. They may even suggest where you can find the component parts for a lower cost such as eBay or your local hardware store.

The key to success with a DIY system is planning, planning and more planning. If you are not committed to the task it can get pretty grueling pretty quickly. But, it does keep you from paying such a high price upfront for the benefits of residential solar power.

Only you can decide if you can afford the cost of a residential solar power system. Think about reducing your energy consumption and other fuel costs to save money towards your new system.

Solar power is energy from the sun. You feel it every day when the sun shines. That giant star in our solar system provides heat for the earth and light. But, what is going on when people decide to use solar power for their homes?

Solar Energy Basics

It all starts with the sun’s rays. The sun bombards the earth with solar radiation. We know it as UVA and UVB radiation. Much of those rays are reflected back into space but there is enough of that energy that is absorbed by the earth to fuel homes all across the planet. Unfortunately technology hasn’t caught up with our grand ideas to save the planet but you can do your part with residential solar power.

You’ve seen solar panels on rooftops and in yards. They have gotten a bit more streamlined since they first came out. Before, only someone with a lot of money could afford residential solar power but the systems are widely used now.

Each solar panel is composed of photovoltaic cells. These cells are usually made of silicon or other semi-conductive material. The cells are arranged uniformly with a positive and a negative end to create the solar panel device. When the light hits the panels (usually placed on the south side of the roof or the lawn), it is absorbed into the solar cells.

The light energy (photons) hits the solar cells and electrons are knocked loose. These loose electrons move through the array and create the electricity you need to power your home. At this point, the electricity that is produced is DC, or direct current. Your home uses AC or alternating current so the energy has to be converted.

This is where the rest of the system takes over. The electricity that is produced by the solar PV (photovoltaic) array, is then passed to a DC disconnect device. This device interrupts the flow of electricity from the array.

From there, you can use one of two methods for funneling the electricity into your home. If you use a residential solar power system that is directly connected to your electrical system, the electricity will then pass through an inverter to change the DC to AC. If you are using a system that uses a battery to store solar electricity for later use, solar electricity is sent to a battery bank where it is stored until needed. When you are ready to sue the electricity, it then passes through an inverter for use by AC outlets in your home.

Residential solar power lowers your home electricity bills. When used you are tapping into the future of the earth which is alternative renewable energy.

The sun is the most abundant and the cheapest source of energy, yet we do not exploit its potential. In these times of depleting resources and increasing prices, the solar energy proves to be the most beneficial and the most economical power solution.

What are the uses of solar energy?

Solar energy has multiple uses, especially in the current times of energy crisis. Solar energy finds its use in the following areas:

• Cooking: The solar energy can be used in cooking with the help of a cooking utensil called the solar cooker. This cooker uses just one fuel – the sun’s light. A typical solar cooker can cook food for five people. A solar cooker does not limit itself to boiling food; it can bake and roast as well. You just need to have a little patience while cooking with a solar cooker.

• Generating electricity: With solar energy, you can run all your electrical appliances. The solar generators store electricity in cells that you can use at night.

• Heating systems: With solar energy heating systems, you can keep your house warm without worrying about electricity bills.

What is a solar generator?

A solar generator is a device that converts solar energy into electrical energy. The sun’s light energy is converted into electrical energy by solar cells also known photovoltaic cells. The return on investment of a solar generator is very fast, thus making electricity available at very low costs. The solar generator also does away with our dependence on the government for electricity. In the current times of fast-depleting fuel resources, it is only wise that we look towards implementing alternate energy solutions.

A solar generator also helps store power in cells for later use. Thus, you can illuminate your house even when the sky is cloudy. The solar generator definitely proves to be a silver lining.

What are the advantages of using a solar generator?

Pollution-free: Using a solar generator paves way to a greener environment. It does not pollute the environment in any way. Moreover, it does not make use of any of the scarce fuels.

Cost-effective: The solar generator makes use of a free energy, thus helping save money. In the long run, the electricity produced by the solar generator turns out to be available for free.

Power storage: The solar generator helps store power for the rainy days, literally. It thus ensures that you have uninterrupted power supply to your home around the clock, everyday.

Low-maintenance: The solar generator is very easy to maintain, helping you save time, effort, and money.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com