DIY Solar Power

Home Solar Power Systems are fast gaining popularity across the nation, indeed across the globe. It stands to reason in these days of economic and environmental crisis that we, the human race, start looking toward viable alternative energies, and move away from our expensive, environmentally destructive traditional energy sources.

Solar Power has of course been with us for many decades now, but unfortunately the cost of having home solar power systems installed, puts it out of reach of the vast majority of households. A simple small installation will set you back a couple of thousand dollars, money which most consumers in the current financial climate, simply cannot afford to pay in a lump sum.

So how do we address this situation and remove our selves from the catch 22 status? where its imperative for the sake of the earth and our children’s future, that we switch to an energy like solar, but where the cost is so prohibitive that most of us cannot seriously consider having home solar power systems installed. Well one way is to take matter’s into your own hands and build your own home made solar panels, Yes that’s right build them yourself!

Its not as daunting a task as it may first appear, believe it or not, solar panels can be constructed from materials readily found at your local junk yard or hardware store. Guides to instruct you on how to build home solar power systems are also readily available, you can even purchase them online (see the following link for more information… Solar Power Kits) for a very cheap price (around $40 to $50).

Equipped with one of the above guides you can quickly have your own solar panels built, no super handyman skills needed (which was a relief for yours truly) and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist.

The reduction in traditional energy usage will depend on how far you want to go in developing your own system, but a reduction of up to 80% is not uncommon in most households that implement their own home made solar panels. This equates to not only some very nice monetary savings, but it also equals a lot less harmful energy usage, which in turn gives the earth a chance to breath and repair itself.

So there is something YOU can do about helping save the planet as well as reap some very substantial financial rewards as well.

For more information on building your own solar panels, check out the following link Home Solar Power Systems

For a side by side review of the leading guides mentioned above head on over to the following page Solar Power Kits

Have a Good One!
Jon.

When it comes to lights in our future, solar lights are the way to go. Humans have been using the light from the sun for ages, but it has only been in the past few years that we can harness and use the power from the sun. Using solar lights is another step towards become more eco friendly.

In addition to being versatile, solar lighting has the Green advantage. Sunlight, our renewable and sustainable energy source, provides this free energy without pollution. As we continue to enjoy this benefit from sunlight, we are able to light our great outdoors without contributing to Global Warming.

Lets get a clearer picture of how these gems of light work, in a nutshell. A small solar panel is affixed to the top of the light fixture, a much smaller version of the collectors we have all seen on rooftops. During the daylight hours the suns energy collects there and transfers to a rechargeable battery attached inside the fixture. The battery charges during daylight and after dark the energy releases to the LED (Light Emitting Diode) which gives off light until sunrise when the cycle begins all over again.

Today solar lights are used primarily to brighten the outside in our gardens, the backyard, around the pool, and the path to the front door or garage. With this in mind, solar lighting fixtures are available in a vast assortment ranging from functional to decorative. Solar lights can be found to attach up high on a building or to hang from a post or tree shining down to light a wider area. There are many lantern designs to choose from for use closer to the ground making our walkway safer to navigate. Would lights on your pool, pond or moat be pleasing? You’ll find a floating variety offered as well.

Discard any thoughts of a complicated installation. Digging a trench or pulling wires from your home has no part in this. Your experience of placing solar lights will be as easy as pressing beautiful candles into a holder or hanging a picture on an already made hook. Each solar light stands as an independent unit connecting only to its energy source, the Sun.

The LEDs that are in these solar lights last much longer than regular light bulbs. They don’t take much power either. They Usually will actually last for decades and you shouldn’t have to replace them. Of course they are a little bit dimmer than other bulbs, which is why many manufacturers put in reflective surfaces, which makes them appear to be brighter.

Solar lights are going to vary in costs. Some home improvement stores offer great prices, while a boutique with garden enhancing lights may charge a little more for the lights. No matter what you pay for them, you won’t have to keep paying for electricity to use the lights, since sun light doesn’t cost a thing. If you replace other lighting fixtures that use electricity with these solar lights, you will probably notice that you save some money on your electric bill.

The advantages of solar lights are many. Even short, gray, winter days hold enough sunlight to fully charge the battery for night use. As long as the sun continues to rise and set the lights will turn on and off automatically. The LED produces no heat ensuring safety around children and pets. During a power outage you may sit outside and read a book or play cards with your neighbours. Solar lights are clearly a benefit to our planet and its the neighbourly thing to do!

If you’ve seen or bought solar lights a few years ago, you were probably disappointed because they were rather dim. They also didn’t stay lit for very long.

However, the solar lights now available are an entirely different thing in comparison to what was out there just a year or two back.

The new generations of solar lights are better designed, longer lasting and much brighter than previous models. New solar lights are also cheaper, making them a better value all around.

Think of it as the difference between the original Star Trek of the 1960s and the Next Generation series of the 1990s. The first series incorporated some technologies which seemed futuristic at the time but had become commonplace by the 90s.

The evolution of solar lights is analogous to that of cell phones over the last fifteen years. Cell phones in the mid to late 1990s tended to be very expensive and rather bulky; only a few early adopters thought them worth the trouble. As ever smaller and more powerful microchips have been produced, the size of cell phones has become manageable and the prices so affordable that these phones have become ubiquitous.

Batteries have been improved to the point that ultra thin batteries can now supply as much power as a battery many times their size just a few years ago.

These same technological advances have been used in the new solar lights that you see on the market. A one day charge in good daylight will let the solar lights shine for several nights now.

Lights have gone through technological advances as well. Instead of incandescent bulbs, solar lights now use highly efficient LED (light emitting diode) bulbs.

By connecting several LEDs together in the same reflector, a solar light can now provide almost as much light as a 220 volt incandescent bulb, with several advantages:

1. 10,000 hours of useful life

2. Maintenance free LED light

3. While they consume less than 3 watts of power, they are 90% more efficient than traditional bulbs

4. LEDs are completely safe for use outdoors because they are totally sealed units

LED powered solar lights with their efficient, compact batteries and improved photovoltaic arrays let you harness the sun’s energy to provide free and clean solar powered outdoor lighting.

Solar lights are a cost-saving lighting solution that can be used in any sort of lighting design desired.

Solar lighting is easy to install since it requires no wiring. You can place them anywhere that they will get enough sunlight to charge during the day and by night, they can light your garden paths, flower beds, deck or anywhere else you want them.

You don’t need to worry about adding to your electric bill at the holidays, either. Remember the light show in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where the power drain blew the whole electricity grid?

You can add attractive twinkling light to your holiday lights or for your outdoor entertaining in the summer.

Solar lights are also a great way to light your tool shed or garage; they are a reliable backup system which is always there for you in the event of a power outage.

Solar lights give you the freedom of easily installing lights wherever you want that will cost you nothing for the power it is all free from the sun!

They are an incredibly economical source of light which are as friendly to the environment as they are to your wallet.

Solar powered lighting is easy enough for anyone to install. These lights can be installed anywhere you like and moved any time you want to make a change in your outdoor lighting.

Since burglars like to ply their trade under the cover of darkness, solar lighting can make your home a more secure place. Thieves can’t cut the wires or put out these lights! Your solar lights will stay lit even when you’re not around, which deters thieves and protects your property.

Solar lights also make your home more attractive from the street. If you are looking to sell your home, these lights give your home added curb appeal when seen at night. If you were looking at homes, you’d probably think more favorably about a home which was lit with free, environmentally friendly solar lighting than one which was dark once the sun sets.

Take a chance and try out the new world of solar lighting.

Solar lights are the wave of our illuminating future. While we have used the energy of sunlight for eons, we are only recently able to efficiently harness and manage this power. Solar lights are a step in lighting our journey toward a more Earth-friendly tomorrow.

In addition to being versatile solar lighting has the Green advantage. Sunlight, our renewable and sustainable energy source, provides energy without pollution. As we continue to benefit from sunlight were able to light our great outdoors without contributing to Global Warming.

Lets get a clearer picture of how these gems of light work, in a nutshell. A small solar panel is affixed to the top of the light fixture, a much smaller version of the collectors weve all seen on rooftops. During the daylight hours the suns energy collects there and transfers to a rechargeable battery attached inside the fixture. The battery charges during daylight and after dark the energy releases to the LED (Light Emitting Diode) which gives off light until sunrise when the cycle begins all over again.

Solar lights are used in many ways today. Some use them in lovely gardens, to light up their yards, for lighting around pool areas, or even to light up a garage or sidewalk. For this reason, you can find lights that are decorative and beautiful, and others that are made to be functional. These lights can be easily attached on buildings or up in trees so that they shine down the light to provide lighting for a larger area. For lighting the ground, there are lovely lantern styles available to make it safe to walk in the dark. Even floating lights are available, adding beauty to a pond or even to your backyard pool.

Release any thoughts of a complicated installation. Digging a trench or pulling wires from your home has no part in this. Your experience of placing solar lights will be as easy as pressing beautiful candles into a holder or hanging a picture. Each solar light stands as an independent unit connecting only to its energy source, the Sun.

The LEDs that are in these solar lights last much longer than regular light bulbs. They don’t take much power either. Usually they will actually last for years and you shouldn’t have to replace them. Of course they are a little bit dimmer than other bulbs, which is why many manufacturers put in reflective surfaces, which makes them appear to be brighter.

Solar light fixtures can cost different prices. Some at boutiques may be more expensive, while better deals are often found at home improvement stores. In spite of what you may pay for these solar lights, you will find that they don’t cost anything to use them, since the sun won’t cost you anything. You probably will notice that your power bill goes down if you have replaced other lights with new solar lights.

The advantages of solar lights are many. Even short, gray, winter days hold enough sunlight to fully charge the battery. As long as the sun continues to rise and set the lights will turn on and off automatically. The LED produces no heat ensuring safety around children and pets. During a power outage you may sit outside and read a book or play cards with your neighbors. Solar lights are clearly a benefit to our planet and its the neighborly thing to do!

Perhaps undertaking a total diy solar power homemade energy solution is not quite your thing or perhaps you would like to start with a smaller project first? Well while diy solar power kits are extremely easy to assemble and build, even easier is building your own solar hot water heaters.

Heating your hot water unit with mains electricity is an expensive process, on the other hand if you get the energy you need to heat the unit’s hot water from the sun it would cost you nothing.

It’s estimated around 33% of a households energy expenditure goes toward heating your hot water system! Wouldn’t be nice to save that money and be free to spend it elsewhere?

DIY (do it yourself) solar hot water systems can be built for as little as $100! This is an expense you will recover in no time, compare that to a thousand dollars or more for a prefabricated system.

Having been a solar energy consultant for some of the biggest firms on the planet, I can confirm these solar systems work effectively and efficiently, when you add this to the fact that solar energy is a clean renewable form of energy that will help lessen the damaging impact we are having on the environment then Im sure you will agree it’s a no brainer.

For just $37  you can instantly get access to and download a 70 page instruction manual in pdf format that will guide you step by step through the process of building your own solar hot water heaters.

So if the whole idea of building a house wide system scares you or you would like to get your toe in the water with diy solar power projects, then the solar hot water heaters project is just thing for you. To learn more [Click Here]

If your ready to take the next step or are looking for a total diy solution, check out the following review for some great information you must read. DIY Solar Energy kits reviewed.

As any DIY (Do it yourself) enthusiast will tell you, undertaking a DIY project of your own is a rewarding, challenging and fun pastime. Homemade solar panel projects are no exception, they do however, come with the added bonus of saving you a lot of money whilst helping the environment.

DIY projects are challenging, that is half the fun for the enthusiast, building homemade solar panels however are a fairly simple and straightforward process. Whilst they do provide some challenges, armed with a good guide the process will be painless and a lot of fun.

A good guide is crucial to getting the process right. A good guide well set you back around $40 and will come with an instruction book and possibly videos (this varies from guide to guide) along with email support that walks you through the entire process step by step.

The materials you need to gather to put together your Homemade Solar Panels can be found in hardware stores for under $200. This amount pales into insignificance when you take into account the money you stand to save by reducing your power usage by as much as %80!, not to mention the cost of having an “off the shelf” solar installation installed.

Another great aspect of any DIY project is the chance to get your family involved, in particular you kids. In our household the process of building homemade solar panels became a task for the whole family, the kids in particular loved it and now have a greater awareness about energy conservation and environmental issues.

As mentioned earlier, the savings you can reap are substantial, whilst our household can’t boast the %80 figure many guides claim, we are running on about 60% less traditional energy. These energy cuts equate to savings that run into the thousands of dollars annually.

So whether you are a DIY enthusiast or not, building your own homemade solar panels makes a lot of sense, you stand to save a lot of money as well as do your bit to help the earth.

For more information on DIY Solar Power Kits check out the following link for a review of leading how to make how to make solar panels guides [CLICK HERE].

In the current times, there are two pertinent factors which need equal and enough attention from us. These two factors are our economy and the earth as the planet we live in. Truly, we are facing challenging issues regarding these two. There has been an increasing need regarding the environment with its continuous deterioration because of pollution, just the same as there have been growing concerns about the financial crisis that we have been experiencing causing the inflation and rise in the prices of commodities.

As a vigilant citizen who is engaged with things that are happening around him or her, it is important that you take part and do your share by taking measures on how we can better cope with these highlighted concerns. One good way of taking an active role in things is to consider alternative means of energy. What this means is to resort to wind and solar power.

Wind and solar power are alternative means of energy that are renewable. Given that they are renewable means that the uses of these energies do not pose any kind of harm to the earth. Wind and solar power have also proven to provide benefits to the planet and humans as well.

Renewable form of energy thus helps preserve the environment. One very good benefit that this offers too is the fact that it will help us save on our expensive electrical bills since we will be resorting to wind and solar power as an alternative and not the current electric companies that we have. Since they are free, then this ultimately translates to savings right away.

If you aspire to build your own wind and power system, then know that the process is relatively straightforward. Below are steps that you can take in putting up this system.

The first thing that needs to be done is to purchase a home installation power kit. There are several do it yourself wind and solar power kits which can be easily purchased in hardware stores and shops. As you choose which one to get, go for that which provides you with easy instructions to follow. Check out the prices too and make sure it fits well within your budget.

The second step that you will have to do as you have purchased the kit is to open it and look for the instructions right away. Make sure that you read this first before you even attempt to set it up. This ensures that you have truly understood the steps that need to be taken and that you are well guided in the process of the installation. Dont worry because do it yourself kits which are purchased are guaranteed to have instructions included with them.

Thirdly, be patient as you build your wind and solar power systems. It is important that you do so as it involves you really understanding what needs to be done. Dont get easily frustrated and keep your objective in mind ” which is to build a system that will help you lower the cost of your electrical bill.

Home energy systems primarily are associated with the sun. The most popular residential energy system is the conversion of solar energy for electricity or water heating. There are two main types of solar energy, light and thermal. Light energy, from the sun, is harnessed by a collecting medium then transformed into electricity. Thermal energy, which is derived from the heat of the sun, is used to directly warm household water and swimming pools.

A typical home energy system has four components:

1. Photovoltaic Cells – Photovoltaic or solar cells made of a semiconductor material in which sunlight is converted into electricity through excitation of electrons. These cells require protection from various environmental and mechanical elements; thus, they are encased in photovoltaic modules or panels. These modules come in different sizes, weights, and shapes.

2. Inverter – An inverter transforms direct current into alternative current electricity.

3. Mounting System – A sturdy mounting system is imperative to secure your home energy systems atop a variety of surfaces from tiled roofs to the shiny exterior of a yacht.

4. Energy Storage – Batteries are optional as they served as storage for electricity produced.

Home energy systems also use semiconductor materials. The commonly used semiconductor materials in the manufacture of solar cells are:

1. Mono-Crystalline – Mono-crystalline silicon is made by the use of a crystal microtome that thinly slices the material into 150 – 350 microns thickness.

2. Using Multi-Crystalline Silicon – Multi-crystalline silicon is made by sawing into a block of silicon.

3. Using Amorphous Silicon – Amorphous silicon is produced when a thin layer of the material is placed on a substrate to make a photovoltaic module.

4. This thin film has a width of 1/10 micron, the flimsiest material to be used in solar cells.

The advantages and benefits of home energy systems are definitely extensive. Among such perks are the following:

1. There is relatively fast turnabout of capital investment now considering that solar power companies offer a minimum of a 20-year warranty and solar units can last a lifetime with proper use and care.

2. Since you are making your own electricity, you are no longer influenced by price hikes of electrical providers. You now have full reigns on the amount of electricity you can generate with your home energy system.

3. It’s tax-free. There are no taxes yet levied by the government when you harness solar radiation. You are entitled to as much sunlight as your system can get.

4. Home energy systems have low maintenance costs compared to electrical connections with their many wirings and cables.

5. Many governments actually offer incentives for people to switch to home energy systems as part of their environmentalist movement.

6. It is environment-friendly. Unlike renewable energy, solar power does not emit polluting emissions and harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon and methane. Accidental dredging and spillage seen in fossil fuel production is also not possible with solar power.

7. With home energy, there are no dangerous ecological by-products made during solar power production.

8. Using home energy helps the environment. You set a good example for your neighbors to hopefully emulate. When you use solar power energy, you actually help conserve other depleting natural energy sources like petroleum and coal for future generation use.

The sun is where all energy on the earth comes from. Solar energy has been used for thousands of years to heat homes and water, but only recently has it been reliably converted to electricity to power your home.

Using the suns natural energy solar panels convert solar power into electricity to use in your home. Renewable energy systems are able to collect enough solar energy that you will not have to rely on the power company to provide for all of your electrical needs. You will want to get a good understanding of how the solar energy systems work.

There are three things solar energy systems have in common. They all use photovoltaic panes as a power source which is similar to the large turbines or fossil fuel generators used in large power plants. They all have a power storage unit used to store solar energy for later use when you need it. And they all have a load, which is the amount of energy your individual home draws to produce the solar energy.

There are 3 types of solar energy systems to choose from for your home. You will want to learn about each one to make an educated decision as to which one is best for your needs. The On grid solar energy system receives the power from your local power company. You are able to sell back any unused power to your local power company, in the event of a power failure, keep in mind you will be without power. When using the off grid solar energy system, you are not connected to your local power company and in the event of a power failure; you will continue to have power.

The solar power is stored in a solar battery or in the system itself. You may want to choose the grid plus battery solar energy system. You have a solar battery backup and you are also connected to your local power company. During a power failure, you will not loose power; you will be able to access solar power with the solar battery backup. The grid plus battery solar energy system allows you to sell any unused power to your local power company.

When considering which solar energy system is best suited for your needs, make your home as energy efficient as possible. Using only florescent bulbs, energy efficient appliances, double paned windows, adding insulation and converting old electric appliances to gas are just a few energy saving ideas. You will have a better understanding as to how much power you use each month to determine which solar energy system is right for your individual needs.

The idea of using pop cans to heat a building may sound a little strange at first, but a Canadian company has proved the idea makes great sense. Cansolair Inc. has used aluminum cans in it’s solar panels for over 10 years now, and they’ve even won awards for their design.

Why Pop Cans?

The company’s heaters, made with used aluminum cans, are not only cheaper than other types, but have proven to be very efficient as well. The company reports exponential growth over the past few years.

Cansolair’s solar heater takes up a little less area than a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood and is about 4 1/2 in. thick. It can produce up to 10,000 BTUs per hour and will raise the temperature of the air passing through it by up to 50F. A fan increases it’s efficiency by forcing the air through the columns of cans.

How They Work

The heaters are frequently installed on the outside walls of a building, and of course, in a location that gets a lot of sun. While they won’t help you much on a cloudy day, they can make a big difference in your heating bill on cold sunny days.

The heaters are designed to draw air from the floor level of a room and pass it directly to the solar panel outside, where it is forced through the columns of cans, which have holes cut in the tops and bottoms to allow air flow. The air is then returned through the wall near the ceiling level and at up to 50F higher temperature.

The cans work well because they are constructed of thin-walled aluminum which has excellent thermal properties. Black paint on the outside to aid in heat absorption. Other materials could work as well, but would be much more expensive.

You Can Build Your Own Aluminum Can Furnace

Cansolair may be the only company that is producing these units commercially, but there have been many other people who have built their own using easily available materials.

Frank Gombik of Ontario, Canada built one to heat his workshop in the winter, and Daniel Strohl of Vermont built one to heat his garage.

Daniel used the south-facing side of his garage as a location for his solar furnace after noting that sunshine was just bouncing off the garage and being wasted. He built a simple free-standing heater that contains 45 pop cans and uses vacuum cleaner hoses to pipe air to and from his garage.

Frank incorporated his solar panel right into a set of double-doors that he need to replace anyway on his workshop. He used a total of 176 cans in his unit, and also added some electronics to measure and record temperatures inside and out.

Construction of an aluminum can solar heater is not too difficult. The materials are commonly available and inexpensive, you’ll be doing your part to conserve natural resources, not to mention you get free heating in the winter!