There’s no question that we’re living in a freezing economic climate right now. Who among us wouldn’t love to chop costs and save cash however we can? Well, the economic climate may be freezing, but our homes don’t have to be. It’s possible to heat, cool, and run your entire house on energy that you didn’t need to rely on the ever-increasingly expensive power company to supply.

You don’t need to be told that fossil fuels are on the way out, and scientists are increasing turning to alternate means to fuel the world. Even assuming they find a good, viable alternative, you know they’re going to charge you a premium to supply it to you. Why spend money you don’t need to?

One way to save real money is by eliminating the cost of our energy from the household budget. By building your own solar panel home system, utilizing solar electricity panels to power your home, you’ve done exactly that. In fact, it’s even possible to force the power company to pay you!

Solar power is free energy, in the sense that there are no costs apart from creating and installing your solar energy panels. Simply stated, this results in a spectacular reduction on the average annual household energy bill. By building your solar power home system yourself, as opposed to buying a commercially installed system, you’ll save an additional several thousand dollars. Retail solar panel systems are very pricey, whereas a do-it-yourself system can be built for around $200. Fancy math skills not needed to see the benefits there.

So how do you build your solar power home system, especially if your construction experience is pitiful and you’ve never installed anything more complicated than a bookcase? Well, the answer to that is far easier than you imagine.

Assembling a solar electricity panel or two and making solar electricity at home is very simple. All that you need is a set of good instructions (video is great for those of us that benefit from visual aids), and a well-written set of plans to work from. Set aside a weekend to devote yourself to the project, and you’ll be well on your way to freedom from the grid.

All of the required materials are outlined in your instruction guide, and are readily available from most hardware stores. Many of the materials, in fact, are very likely found scattered around the house, saving you even more in the already rock-bottom price of becoming self-sufficient!

Building your own solar panels at home do more than just save you money. You’ll feel a warm glow of pride in your accomplishment, a glow that will grow even brighter when you realize that you’ve done something that will truly help the environment, as solar power is a very eco-friendly form of energy.

Are you ready to discover for yourself how well within reach it is to be self-sufficient, generating enough electricity on your own to never again have to worry about the high cost of keeping warm? All it takes is the right help and a little initiative. With your own solar power home system, you not only save money right now, you save the earth for the future.

Take a moment to consider the benefits of making your own electricity instead of simply buying it from your local electric company. First of all, the costs of purchasing power are becoming increasingly expensive for two reasons. In the case of electricity that is generated by burning fossil fuels such as diesel or coal, all of these precious natural resources are reaching their limit of availability, and it is a common principle of economics that when the supply goes down and the demand goes up, prices naturally rise.

There is the second cost of burning fossil fuels which is the effect that has on our environment. You only have to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television news to see reports of damage and disaster happening somewhere in the world because of climate change. It is getting increasingly more difficult to deny that the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to the greenhouse effect that leads to global warming and climate change. So if we can depend less on these old fashioned ways of making electricity and turn to new, alternative techniques, we can have a positive effect on the ecology of the earth as well as saving money.

There are those who will argue that it is very costly to convert a home to solar power or making use of the wind to generate electricity, but as more and more consumers are taking advantage of these alternative energy sources, the price of the bits and pieces used to harness them continues to go down. Not only do solar panels and wind turbines cost less than they used to, but more information is becoming available about how to do-it-yourself and build homemade solar panels and windmills.

The internet is an excellent place to start looking for sources of new, alternative energy information to help consumers become more self reliant and more environmentally responsible as they unplug themselves from the grid and start enjoying a better lifestyle with their own home made energy.

Environmentalists are concerned that this new technology will pour hazardous wastes into our landfills when these panels start to wear out. Standards need to be set today that deal with the end of life of these solar panels. We certainly do not want a whole new industry that continues to pollute our planet.

It is critical that this new technology, which has so much promise for the future, be completely green from start to finish. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes that we made with the electronics industry. e-Waste is a major problem around the world. Improper disposal of cell phones, computers, printers and other electronic waste is filling the landfills with hazardous and toxic materials in a big way. Solar energy technology should not take that same route.

The solar industry is only in its infancy and accounts for only a minute amount of the power needed to run this planet. This is set to change. The newly elected President of the United States promises to get the country on the right track to ends its dependency, on not only foreign oil, but oil altogether.

The problem with pushing this technology is that countries such as China are using horrific manufacturing practices to supply components for solar power products. Story after story is being reported about the contamination of the soil, water and air in China, all from the improper dumping of toxic chemicals.

Low paid workers, many of whom are children, are dying, developing cancers and suffering from all sorts of diseases due to the manufacturing practices used today.

It is critical that as technology progresses, materials must be used that do not harm the environment. It is important to have a disposal plan in place when these units wear out or are replaced with new technology.

Many manufacturing companies want to “do the right thing,” and are working together to develop ideas on how to recycle solar panels before they become an environmental hazard. These companies do not want to deal with rules and regulations that may be passed in the future, and are willing to take responsibility for the entire life and death of their products.

Some companies have gone so far as to set up private trust funds to cover the cost of the collection efforts. This will ensure that the panels will be recycled even if the company goes out of business.

Having companies that provide solutions to the energy problem and not create environmental hazards is the road we must take in our quest for renewable energy. One way to be “green” and sidestep the downside to the commercial solar energy manufacturing process is to invest in a solar energy home system kit, which allows you to build your own solar and wind power devices, often using recycled materials that you already have on hand.

It seems as though with every good thing there is a bad side. Such is the the case with solar energy. Solar energy is destined to be the next super star in the quest for renewable energy. On the surface solar energy appears to be the solution to our world’s energy crisis, but what is not obvious is the dark side to solar energy. The manufacturing process of solar panels uses a large amount of fossil fuels and the cells in solar panels contain toxic materials which are not readily recycled.

Environmentalists are concerned that this new technology will pour hazardous wastes into or landfills when these panels start to wear out.

Standards need to be set today that deal with the end of life of these solar panels. We certainly do not want a whole new industry that continues to pollute our planet.

It is critical that this new technology, which has so much promise for the future, be completely green from start to finish. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes that we made with the electronics industry. e-Waste is a major problem around the world. Improper disposal of cell phones, computers, printers and other electronic waste is filling the landfills with hazardous and toxic materials in a big way. Solar energy technology should not take that same route.

The solar industry is only in its infancy and accounts for only a minute amount of the power needed to run this planet. This is set to change. The newly elected President of the United States, promises to get the country on the right track to ends its dependency, on not only foreign oil, but oil all together.

The problem with pushing this technology is that countries such as China are using horrific manufacturing practices to supply components for solar power products. Story after story is being reported about the contamination of the soil, water and air in China, all from the improper dumping of toxic chemicals.

Low paid workers, many of whom are children, are dying, developing cancers and suffering from all sorts of diseases due to the manufacturing practices used today.

It is critical that as technology progresses, materials must be used that do not harm the environment. It is important to have a disposal plan in place when these units wear out or are replaced with new technology.

Many manufacturing companies want to “do the right thing”, and are working together to develop ideas on how to recycle solar panels before they become an environmental hazard. These companies do not want to deal with rules and regulations that may be passed in the future, and are willing to take responsibility for the entire life and death of their products.

Some companies have gone so far as to set up private trust funds to cover the cost of the collection efforts. This will ensure that the panels will be recycled even if the company goes out of business.

Having companies that provide solutions to the energy problem and not create environmental hazards is the road we must take in our quest for renewable energy.

First, you can use solar energy to heat your home and provide hot water for household use. It can also be used to generate electricity via photovoltaic cells. The technology is constantly improving and it’s possible that recent breakthroughs in electricity generation will both increase the efficiency of photovoltaics and bring down the cost of the electricity they produce.

Wind power is becoming an increasingly important source of electricity in Iowa, Texas, and California, which lead the nation in wind energy generation, but nearly all states are investigating the possibility of adding wind generated power to their arsenal. There are also house-sized units available, and as the demand for them grows, they’ll continue to come down in price per unit and in installation cost. In addition, you can look into do-it-yourself solutions to home energy production, as they are extremely cost effective and do a great job of lowering your consumption of energy.

Other forms of energy are less accessible to the average homeowner, but you can use mass-produced forms, such as ethanol, E85, or soy-based diesel fuel in your vehicle to cut down on fossil fuels and to lessen the amount of pollution you contribute to the environment.

Hydrogen fuel cells are still in the experimental stages, but many experts continue to insist that they’ll eventually represent the wave of the future in powering our vehicles. Time will tell, but the point is that you can take advantage of alternative fuels right now without waiting to see what happens on the hydrogen front.

Another important plus for turning toward alternative fuel sources is that there are sometimes significant tax breaks to be obtained for converting all or part of your home to something other than traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources.

Regardless of which alternative energy source appeals to you, before you begin shopping, take some time to look into possible tax incentives that may help offset a portion of their initial cost.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines are actually very simple machines. They consist of 3 parts: rotor blades, a shaft, and a generator. The rotor blades act like a propeller that turns the shaft when the wind flows through them. The shaft then turns the generator and a current is generated. About eighty-five percent of all off-grid systems use solar wind energy.

The new micro as well as mini wind turbines are very popular with sailors, and are now starting to be more popular with home owners in Europe and the UK. Mini turbines are very cost effective and will only cost about $1,500 to $2,500. There are also some excellent DIY solar power home systems that you can build and install yourself for even less. They are perfect for generating electricity if you live off the grid in remote rural areas. It’s satisfying to think about having solar wind energy provide for all your energy needs and also knowing that you never have to depend on utility companies.

Photovoltaic Cells

The typical home solar power system consists mainly of these:
a) Photovoltaic Panels
b) Charge Controller Module
c) Batteries (optional)
d) Inverter

Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into an electric current. The type of current generated by a photovoltaic panel array is DC or direct current. For this current to be usable in most common households, it has to be converted into AC or alternating current. That’s where the inverter comes in. It’s job is to convert DC into AC current.

Solar wind energy systems are also called hybrid energy systems because the use a combination of solar and wind power to generate electricity. The wind turbines are mostly used during the winter months (in the northern hemisphere) when the sun’s vertical rays are mostly directed toward the southern hemisphere, and days tend to be cloudy. During summer months, photovoltaic cells would supplement greatly along with the wind turbine.

By using hybrid solar wind energy systems, a homeowner has the option of using or omitting batteries for storage. Homeowners also have the choice of being “Grid-Tied” or “Net Metered”. This means that your solar wind energy system has the ability to provide electricity not only for your house, but the power company as well. This way, if your solar wind energy system generated more energy than was used, the energy can be sold back to the power company. When you’re selling energy back to the company, your power meter runs backward. The “net metered” system therefore is highly recommended. The grid also works as your “battery backup” when your hybrid solar wind energy system doesn’t provide for your power demands.

Net-metered systems are also recommended because they are easier to install, cost less, and offer better performance.

Before diving into the vast number of uses for solar energy, it is important to have a solid understanding of solar energy itself. Solar energy is electricity generated by the Sun’s radiation that is absorbed through square material known as “solar cells”.

To put it simply: the Sun’s rays heat up solar cells, and the heat’s energy is converted into electricity to power anything from small devices such as laptop bags to entire buildings.

Four Classes of Solar Energy

There are four major styles of solar energy: direct, indirect, active and passive.

Direct solar energy systems convert the thermal energy once, while indirect systems convert the energy multiple times. Active solar means there are mechanical and electrical parts. Passive systems do not use any mechanical parts to convert the energy to electricity.

“So how does solar energy actually work?”

There are many methods for capturing the power of the Sun’s energy, but the most common devices are “Photovoltaic cells.” These are commonly known as solar cell semiconductors that produce electricity whenever the external material is exposed to heat. The cells also naturally store thermal (heat) energy so the device the cells are powering can work when it is dark as well.

Heat from the Sun is absorbed by the silicon cells and the energy is stored and converted for use by the semiconductor inside the cells.

“How can solar energy help me?”

When solar energy cells were first introduced in 1941 by Russell Ohl, people hardly realized how this simple invention could change the World. The biggest problem with the energy technique has been the initial cost. However, while silicon is expensive, people have been recently turning to powering their entire house with solar cells!

Yes, there is a large initial investment, but by eliminating your electric bill for the rest of your life, there is a good chance you’ll recoup the loss. Many people use solar energy to heat their water (tap, showers, swimming pools, etc.) without powering their entire home. This is much cheaper, but it can still have a positive impact on utility bills and the environment.

There have been many other smaller uses, too. In 2006, a small electronics company invented a solar cell laptop bag that could not only carry your laptop, but constantly charge it on the go!

There is practically an infinite number of possibilities for small devices being charged with solar energy and eliminating the need for charging every night for hours just to get a few hours of use.

As solar cell production costs decrease, more companies will be able to produce solar-powered devices and accessories the public can afford. Either way, solar energy is a reliable, natural source of energy that can be used to power practically anything, and it won’t run out until the Sun does!

What Are Solar Electricity Panels?

Solar electricity panels convert selected wavelengths of sunlight to electricity for powering your home. The average cost to install traditional solar electricity panels in a home can run from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the size of the home and the type of panels used. Solar power has been used to power up homes for decades with many new advancements being made today to make solar panels more attractive and affordable. Many companies are now marketing DIY kits for creating your own solar electricity panels.

Your home remains on the electrical grid when you have solar electricity panels. This way you can supplement your home with traditional electricity on days that are overcast or cloudy and your solar panels don’t generate enough power. On the sunny days, when you overproduce solar electricity, you actually put electricity back on the grid and earn a credit on your utility bill. Some people wind up making money from the utility company.

What Are Solar Collectors?

Solar collectors are slightly different from solar panels. Collectors transform short wavelengths to long ones. This energy is trapped in the form of heat, which is then transferred and transported into a storage vault for use.

What Is A Solar House?

A solar house makes use of the natural energy from the sun. Typically a solar house will gain more energy than it loses. A solar house uses solar electricity panels, solar collectors, window location and other greenhouse additions to make optimum use of the sun’s energy.

For example:

• Appliances converted to clean-burning propane or natural gas where lighting and electrons can be powered partially or completely by solar energy.
• A detached garage or workshop can be a starting location for installing solar power and learning how to get off the grid.
• Landscape lighting can be completely solar powered.
• Many new homes already include solar power because of its increased popularity in the face of high fuel and electricity costs.

Why Is Renewable Energy So Practical?

Renewable energy uses the natural resources around us to generate the energy we need. Imagine actually making money from the electric company rather than paying them,  simply because you made a wise investment in solar electricity panels or a solar house!

According to the Energy Information Administration, by 2030 an estimated 257 gigawatts of new electric-generating capacity is required to meet an increased demand. Meanwhile costs are increasing to maintain the infrastructure of the nations power grid. As demand and costs increase, it will become even more important to find greener, more affordable energy alternatives.

Renewable solar energy is a green, budget-conscious way to power up your home without worrying about future utility trends.