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Table of Contents

• Introduction: Why Instal

• Chapter 1: Understandi

• Chapter 2: Components

• Chapter 3: Choosing a So

• Chapter 4: Where to Put

• Chapter 5: Sizing Your S

• Chapter 6: Dollars and C

• Chapter 7: Installing a S

• Chapter 8: The Pros and

• Chapter 9: Where to Get

• Chapter 10: Maintaining

• Chapter 11: Heating and

• Appendix A: A List of Sol

• Appendix B: Further Rea



l a Solar Power System?

g How Solar Power Works

f a Solar Power System

lar Power System

a Solar System

lar Panels

ents

lar System Professionally

Cons of DIY Solar Power

Solar Power Equipment for DIY Projects

and Expanding a Solar Power System

Lighting a Home with Solar Power

r Chargers for Small Devices

ding and Bibliography

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Introduction: Why Instal

Solar power has been aryears that people have sviable power option. In paof the climate change criturning to solar power.

A solar power system at h

1. Solar power will red

2. Solar power will sev3. Solar power cells re4. Solar power cells las5. In remote areas, liv

upon utility compani

Why Read this eBook?

In the course of this ebo

installing, and getting thehelp you choose the righthelp you size your systedesire.

Whether you want to tie ythe utility company or liabout each method in asystems and professionallcredits are available to ma

By the time you're doneyour journey into the worcup of coffee or tea, sit bafor your home.

Chapter 1: Understandin

Solar power takes naturausable electricity. Typicall

and other non-renewable



l a Solar Power System?

und for decades, but it's only betarted to pay closer attention tort because of rising utility costs, anis, more and more people all acr

me has five main benefits:

ce or completely eliminate your po

rely reduce your home's greenhouuire very little maintenance.t for decades.ing “off the grid” is often more reaes.

k, we'll walk you through every a

most from your personal solar posolar power equipment to fit yourm to provide you with the amou

our system into the grid and sell ye completely off the grid, we'll estep-by-step manner. We'll coveinstalled systems, as well as wha

ke a new solar system more afford

eading our extensive ebook, you'llld of home solar power systems. Sck, and enjoy learning all about sol

g How Solar Power Works

l energy provided by the sun any, we power all our human activit

resources, but ironically, the sun

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n in the last fewsolar power as ad in part becausess the world are

wer bill.

e emissions.

listic than relying

pect of choosing,

er system. We'llbudget, and we'llt of energy you

ur power back toxplain how to gor both DIY solart rebates and taxble.

be ready to starto pour yourself aar power systems

converts it intoies with oil, coal,

provides enough





energy each day to fulfi

However, tapping into thexpensive, which is whymore interest until it becaclimate change were teete

The First Solar Panels

To convert sunlight intomaterials. Originally, solaelectrical current when it

when they are struck bywhich only jiggle in placein the sun for hours. Itproduce an electrical curr

Silicon can create a lotsilicon crystals to make so

Newer Solar Panel Materia

In an effort to reduceexperimenting with otherof these is copper-indiumpanels. Unfortunately, thsilicon is at creating electsilicon, which keeps the c

How Solar Panels Create U

The most important com

one of the materials mecommon variety cells anpanel; a group of panels f

The electrical current a sthe United States, DC enthrough an inverter to cenergy has passed throunumber of items, from ele



ll all of our our power needs –

e power of the sun is complicateas a society we haven't exploredme devastatingly obvious that thering on the brink the inevitable.

energy, solar panels use varioupanels used silicon, because silic

is struck by light. Electrons in silic

light, as opposed to electrons inand create heat. Think about a piewill be extremely hot to the toucnt.

f electricity, but it's expensive tolar panels.

ls

the cost of solar, the solar pmaterials that will also create elect-gallium-selenide, which is used fose newer, thin-film technologies aricity. As a result, many solar panst of solar panels rather high.

able Power

onent of a solar panel is the sola

tioned above. Photovoltaic (PV) calso the most efficient. A grouprms a solar array.

lar panel creates is a direct electriergy cannot be used; therefore, teate an alternating electric currengh the inverter, it is ready to uctric cars to light bulbs and washing

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and then some.

and sometimessolar power withegative effects of

s semi-conductorn will produce ann begin to move

other materials,e of steel left outh, but it will not

grow big enough

wer industry isical currents. Oner “thin-film” solare not as good asels still rely upon

cell, made from

lls are the mostof cells forms a

current (DC). Ine current passest (AC). Once these to power anymachines.





In a solar power system

and used to help power tstored in a bank of large b

Other Types of Solar Energ

In addition to the solar psun's energy with passive

“Passive solar” is just thaof the sun. Passive solar

encourage the sun to warthen added in the formwater. In the winter, thesthe sun goes down they c

“Thermal solar” is anotheheat in a non-toxic anti-frcan then heat water or bsystems and swimming po

Although passive solar anbe the main focus of thisthermal solar, see the sec

Chapter 2: Components

As mentioned, the main csolar panels. However, astart creating usable pow

INVERTERS

Besides the panels, the ipower system because itAC energy that appliances

Types of Inverters

There are many types of include:



ied into the grid, this AC energy i

he home. In an off-grid system, thatteries and saved for later use.

y

nel energy mentioned above, peosolar and thermal solar methods.

– it's a low-tech, passive way tois used by adding windows to a so

m the room. “Thermal mass” to stof brick, stone, concrete, or evenmaterials soak up the heat of the

ntinue to radiate heat.

r low-tech way to create heat. Iteze inside the solar panel's tubes.

uildings. Solar thermal is popularols.

d thermal solar techniques are usebook. For more information onion entitled “Further Reading”.

f a Solar Power System

omponent of any solar power systsolar power system needs more thr.

nverters are the most importantransforms unusable DC energy intand most batteries use.

inverters to choose from. The mo

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fed into the grid

e energy is often

le also utilize the

apture the poweruth-facing wall to

re excess heat islarge barrels of

un, so that when

collects the sun'sThis heated liquidfor water heating

ful, they will notpassive solar and

m is the array of an just panels to

art of your solaruseful, 120-volt

st common types





• Square Wave: The

wave” of energy buentire home.

• Modified Sine Wasine wave inverter gshould be aware thtimers that won't w

• True Sine Wave: closest thing to a tproduce power morAC applications will

most expensive typ• Grid-Tie: A grid-tie

into the grid, thusgrid-tie inverter, ycompany.

Choosing the Correct Inpu

Inverters come in 12, 24,expensive, but also more

solar panels, the invertersystem!

Multiple Inverters

A solar panel is only asconverted by the inverteryourself to just one inveror a parallel configuratioparallel configuration incr

CHARGE CONTROLLERS

How much electricity panCharge controllers regulatbatteries or appliances pthree-stage cycle called th

For 75 to 80 watt solar pthough these panels probstage 40-amp controllers



e are cheap but not desirable. The

are not strong enough for a syst

e: Popular and economical, theets the job done for most applicatit some appliances will use motorrk properly with a modified sine waAs the name suggests, these invrue sine wave. In many cases, thefficiently than even the utility coork with a true sine wave inverter

s.power inverter feeds the power

educing or even eliminating youru can sell excess power back to

Voltage

or 48-volt styles. Higher voltage iefficient. You should use the sam

, and the battery bank, otherwise

efficient as its inverter. Electricitis wasted power. Therefore, you der. You can stack compatible inve. A series of inverters increasesases power output.

els produce depends upon the stre the voltage from the panels in orwered by solar. Quality charge c

e bulk, absorption, and float cycles.

nels, choose a controller rated upbly won't usually produce that muhould cost between $140 - $230.

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create a “square

m powering your

odified or quasi-ns. However, youspeed controls orve inverter.erters create theese inverters will

pany. Almost all, but they are the

ou produce backower bill. With ayour local utility

verters are moree voltage for the

you can fry your

that cannot beon't have to limitters into a seriesutput voltage; a

ngth of the sun.der to protect theontrollers have a

to 40 amps, evenh current. Three-





BATTERIES

If your system is tied toHowever, if your solar syskeeps you powered up astore the power you are gbank of batteries.

The easiest batteries tomarine, and golf cart brespectively, these types

solar system. However, itbatteries and link them to

Industrial strength battebatteries, are more expenthe grid.

Flooded batteries are repopular choice for solar sindoors because they rele

make sure you use proper

Gel batteries do not relalso perform better than a

AGM or absorbed glassgas, and have the best pthe most expensive of all

WIRING

Once you have your invcourse your panels, youprevent overheating andsystem, you will need to s

For choosing the correctand free calculator availamore information.



the grid, you won't need to worrtem is designed to provide only pad completely off the grid, you wi

etting from the sun, and this mea

find, which are also the most af tteries. Used for campers, boatsof batteries are really only ideal if

is possible to gather a half-dozenether for a larger system.

ies, which include flooded, gel,sive but are perfect for powering a

asonably priced and last for manystems. However, be aware that thse a potentially toxic, volatile gas.

ventilation.

ase gas, meaning they can be uflooded battery.

mat batteries are extremely effirformance of all. Naturally, thesehe batteries mentioned here.

rter, your charge controller, yourare ready to hook the whole syset the best possible energy efficie

ize your wires correctly.

wires for your system, we suggesle from Free Sun Power. See “Fu

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about batteries.tial power, or if itll need a way tos you will need a

ordable, are RV,, and golf carts,you have a small

or more of these

and AGM sealedn entire home off

years. They are ay cannot be usedIf stored indoors,

ed indoors. They

ient, do not leakbatteries are also

batteries, and of tem together. Tocy for your solar

the wiring chartther Reading” for





Chapter 3: Choosing a So

Before you decide whichof system you want. In thsystems and consider the

• Solar direct• DC system with batt

• Hybrid solar-genera• Off-grid solar depen

• Grid-tied solar syste

SOLAR DIRECT / DAY-USE

Solar direct systems, alsowhen the sun shines. The(no storage batteries neeobvious disadvantage is thworks when the sun iswater pumps, ventilation f rarely used, and definitely

DC SYSTEM WITH BATTER

As explained above, mostthere are some electronicdirect current. A DC solathese smaller applicationwho want to ensure thappliance always has ensystems include highway

HYBRID SOLAR-GENERAT

This type of solar systemgrid. They include all of from the solar panel arsupplement their solar ewind turbines and/or gassystem is that it generatesmall home in almost any



ar Power System

quipment to buy, you first have tois chapter, we'll examine the follopros and cons of each type:

eriesor systemsent systems

ms

OLAR

called day-use solar, are systemsadvantages of a solar direct systeded), its low cost, and its ease oat without batteries to store the suut. Common applications for day-ans, and electronics. These systemnot meant as a comprehensive sol

ES

of our appliances use alternating, such as well pumps and certainr system that uses batteries is d. These are ideal for people livingt their well pump, freezer, or ough power. Other common appliign lights, communication boxes, a

R SYSTEMS

is ideal for people who want to gohe components mentioned in theay to the battery banks. Manyergy with a secondary source of powered generators. The advantaa great deal of energy and can b

location. The disadvantages includ

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decide what typeing types of solar

that only functionare its simplicityinstallation. The

n's energy, it onlyuse solar includeare practical but

r solution.

urrent. However,freezers, that usesigned to powerin remote areas

ther low voltagecations for thesed gate openers.

ompletely off theprevious chapter,eople choose toenergy, includinge of this type of used to power athe set-up costs





and the complexity of the

up this type of system, bu

OFF-GRID SOLAR DEPEND

As above, except there issource of power, these sybatteries from charging.ideal.

GRID-TIED SOLAR SYSTEM

These systems are the mTied into an existing homsell excess power back tothousands of dollars forhave to pay for power agafor another two decades,you put into it and thenavailable to homeowners

Weigh your own needs ause solar power to supplpower bill, you can usesystem. If you want to gothe off-grid system mentiadds power to the grid, co

Chapter 4: Where to Put

In this chapter, we'll anssolar panels and where sh

PLACING SOLAR PANELS

Solar panels are generallshadows cast by trees obecause it will maximize tsummer and winter.



system; you do not need to be an

t it certainly helps.

NT SYSTEMS

no secondary source of power. Wistems are vulnerable if cloudy weaHowever, in remote locations, th

S

ost popular, but they are also thee by a solar installation professionthe grid. Although initial installatio

typical suburban home, the homin. If you are planning on living inthese systems will easily pay yoome. Furthermore, tax credits anho install this type of system.

ainst the systems listed above. If ment your existing power supplypartial system such as a solar d

off the grid, you will need either aned above. For a professionally insntact your utility company about a

Solar System

er two main questions: where should you place the rest of your sola

y installed on a south-facing roof buildings. A roof with southern

e amount of energy your panels wi

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electrician to set

hout a secondaryther prevents theese systems are

most expensive.al, these systemsmay cost tens of owner will neverour current homeback everythinggrants are often

you only want toand reduce yourirect or DC solarhybrid system oralled system thatrid-tied system.

ld you place yourequipment.

unobstructed byexposure is idealll produce in both





Should you not have a ro

southeast or southwest.worst (unless you live inexposure is the best and s

The Tilt of the Panels

To further maximize solaideal for your location. Tread the article referencSolar Panels”.

Installation of Rooftop Pan

Be aware that before yointegrity of your roof, ansolar panels. Solar panelquite heavy, so you mayinstall your panels without

Once your panels are inst

rain, hail, or snow damagiall types of weather anddamage.

Alternative Placements fo

Some people choose to popen field for maximum susing your solar panels,application.

PLACING THE REST OF YO

As for your battery bank,for these you should keelements. Unlike the paneelectrical components neyourself systems, try findplace your electrical gear



ftop with southern exposure, the n

astern exposure is so-so; northerthe Southern Hemisphere, in whi

outhern exposure is the worst).

collection, you should tilt your plearn which angle you should us

d in Further Reading on “Optimu

els

install your rooftop panels, youverify that your roof can handleand their associated mountingneed to consult a professional rdamaging your roof.

lled properly, you will not have to

ng your panels. Today's panels arecan sustain up to 1” hailstones wi

Panels

lace solar panels on a greenhouseunlight exposure. Depending upon

this type of placement may b

R SOLAR EQUIPMENT

inverter, and charge controller, inp in mind that they must be sh

ls, which are designed to live outsidd a watertight home somewhereing a surplus electrical cabinet thlose to your panels.

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ext best choice is

exposure is thech case northern

nels at an anglefor your panels,

m Orientation of

should check thethe weight of thequipment can beofer to help you

orry about wind,

designed to be inhout any serious

or shed or in anhow you plan on

e ideal for your

choosing a spaceeltered from thee, these sensitiveinside. For do-it-t's watertight to





Common options for pl

basements, and garages.will require a proper veninform your choices for pl

Chapter 5: Sizing Your S

How big your solar panelwant it to generate. Yapplication uses, and con

require in order to reduswitching to low-voltagemoney as you create youair conditioning needs bynew home according to pa

Typical Home Energy Cons

Western people consumehours per day. To see a

refer to the Further Readipowers cost about $4 to $

Calculating Your Energy U

To calculate your home'sYour utility company willmonth, and sometimes a

According to the governkWh per month. If you wmeans you will need youeach month.

Where do You Live?

Clearly, if you live in theand cheaper than if you lcloser to the Earth forsomeone living in the damount of power with a s



acement of these items include

Refer to Chapter 2 to learn whichilation system. The type of battercing the rest of your system.

lar Panels

array will be depends upon howu should first calculate how mider ways you can reduce the amo

e the cost of your solar system.C appliances, you can save a lot osolar system. You can also reduce

improving insulation in your homessive solar techniques.

umption

great deal of energy – typically athart of how much energy commo

ng section on this chapter. General5 per watt of output.

age

energy usage, start by referring toell you how many kilowatt hours (aily average is provided as well.

ent, most American families use aish to completely replace your utilr system to generate roughly 1,0

sunny desert southwest, solar poive in Alaska. Furthermore, the sueople living in southern climes.sert southwest will be able to galler system as someone living in

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storage sheds,

types of batteriesyou choose will

much power youch energy yournt of energy you

For example, byenergy and saveyour heating andor designing your

least 4,500 watt-n appliances use,

ly speaking, solar

your electric bill.Wh) you use per

pproximately 936ity company, this0 kWh of power

er will be easiern is stronger andThis means thatnerate the samelaska.





For a free solar power cal

system for your home, rThis tool allows you to eswhere you live, what utilusage, and what percentaverage, you should expesuburban home to be at le

Chapter 6: Dollars and C

During this chapter, we'llcomplete solar power syst

• Grid-tie system cost• Off-grid system cost

• Tax incentives and r• Monetary savings fr

GRID-TIE SYSTEM COSTS

Installing a system tied thome in the southeast texpect to invest about $think of a grid-tie solargoing to use over the nemind that with a grid-tieback to your utility compinvestment.

If you can reduce your mkWh per month by upgrad

efficient appliances, you$10,000.

Selling Your Power Back t

As mentioned above, youback for your solar systeThe federal government rto buy back surplus powresidential power consum



ulator that will estimate the size a

fer to the Further Reading sectiontimate the size and cost of a solarity company you use, your currenge of your overall power you wat the overall size of a grid-tie systeast two square meters.

nts

look at the bottom line when it com for your home. We'll cover the f

sbatesm a solar system

the grid, as already mentioned,at uses about 1,000 kWh of elec2,000. Although the price may bower system as paying for all thet few decades at one time. You shystem you will actually be selling

any, which will speed the rate of

nthly energy consumption down ting insulation, doors, windows, and

can reduce the cost of your syst

the Utility Company

can speed up the rate with whichby selling power back to the loca

quires forty-two states plus the Dir from solar powered homes. Thirs and commercial consumers.

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nd cost of a solar

for this chapter.system based ont monthly energyt from solar. On

m for an urban or

es to installing aollowing topics:

isn't cheap. For aricity per month,a sticker shock,electricity you'reould also keep inyour extra powerpaying back your

an average 800choosing energy-

m by more than

you pay yourself l utility company.strict of Columbia

is true both for





In order to sell the power

monitor your power, whicbackwards to track energyou in different ways acompany will pay you in c

How Much Can You Make?

Usually, utility companiescost for power. In othercents per hour, you will

marked-up price they billmaybe a few hundred doll

However, there's anotherthat's by becoming a poplans in place for buyinghomeowner in New Jerseand sells alternative ene$3,500 per year (Source:

If your state offers analternative energy creditslong time to pay you backand eventually provide yo

OFF-GRID SYSTEM COSTS

An off-grid system is ideutilities are either not anspeaking, off-grid syste

install. You can reduce yDIY solar system. HereWholesaleSolar.com:

• Small DC Cabin: $2,

• Medium DC Cabin: $

• Medium AC Cabin: $

• Small AC Home: $1

• Medium AC Home:

• Large AC Home: $2



back to the utility company, you

means a power meter that runsconsumption. Different companie

d at different rates, but genersh for your total surplus at the end

pay you the wholesale cost of poords, if the cost of the power to thbe paid for two cents per kilow

you for. Generally this will notrs per year.

way to make money with yourer broker. Some states, such asand selling alternative energy c

, Carl Baldino, has taken advantaggy credits to power companies, eNew York Times, April 1, 2007).

pportunity to become a power, you could turn an expensive sysinto a cost-effective system that wwith profits -- in a fraction of the

l for people who live in remote aoption or are very expensive / uns require more maintenance, bu

ur costs even further by piecing tre some off-grid cost estimates

7505,0008,500,00017,000,000

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ill need a way to

oth forwards andwill compensate

lly speaking theof a year.

er, not the retaile company is twott hour, not the

mount to much;

olar panels, andew Jersey, have

edits. One savvye of this programrning him about

broker by sellingtem that takes aill pay you back –ime.

eas where publiceliable. Generally

are cheaper to

gether your ownfrom the vendor





If you want an off-grid s

own off-grid home. Thisfrom the start, relying ucooling costs and orientiexposure. Alternatively, yset up for solar power.

TAX INCENTIVES AND REB

There are two primary typavailable on the national

addition, some cities aConsidering the high costtax incentives can often b

On the national level,thanks to the Recoveryexpired or are about to exact swiftly. However, therfor a while longer.

In particular, take advant “Consumers who install sfor systems placed inEnergy.gov).

On the state level, visitState Incentives for Renethe map to see what incethe link, visit the Further

MONETARY SAVINGS FRO

How much your solar syconsumption.

If you currently pay an apay $50,000 for a new sneeds, it will take youinvestment in power savinkeep the system active fosavings. However, for the

small price to pay.



stem, the ideal way to go about i

ay you can design your home to bon passive solar techniques to reng your home to get the mostu can buy a property that's alread

TES

es of tax incentives and rebates avlevel and incentives available on t

d counties also offer tax inceof installing a solar system as outla deciding factor as you debate y

any of the tax incentives thatnd Reinvestment Act of 2009 ha

pire, so if you plan to make use of are other national tax incentives t

ge of the Residential Renewable Elar energy systems... can receiveservice before December 31,

the DSIRE website, which standables and Efficiency. You can clictives are available at the state aneading section for this chapter.

A SOLAR SYSTEM

tem saves you depends upon yo

verage of $100 per month in enerlar grid-tie system that meets 10

a substantial amount of time togs. Even with a 30% tax credit, yoabout 30 years to earn back thatenvironmentally conscientious, thi

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t is to build your

e energy-efficientuce heating andossible southern

y off the grid and

ilable: incentiveshe state level. In

ntives for solar.ined above, theseur solar options.

ere put in placeve either alreadyhem, you need tohat will be around

nergy Tax Credit:a 30% tax credit2016” (Source:

for Database of on your state in

d local levels. For

r current energy

gy costs and you0% of your solarearn back your

u will still need to50,000 in energy

rty years is but a





This low return on invest

energy efficiency and maattractive. Considering thpowered home costs $17,pay for itself in savingsback the investment, it witax credit as above).

The high initial investmenfor many people. Insteadpeople choose a small sol

partial system can keep ipay for itself in five or sismall system will only prpower a few computers, a

Chapter 7: Installing a So

If you choose a grid-tieinstalled professionally. Yor your electrical supplyif you happen to be a prexperienced installers for

A professional solar instahelp you maximize theproper panel orientation,securing the panels prope

The best choice is an allboth provide your solar

protects you in the long ru

Choose a company whosthe North American Boarorganization that certifies

To find a NABCEP certifinabcep.org. Choose “Insquickly search for professi



ment for grid-tie solar underlines

kes an off-grid system or DIY syt a complete solar system mediu

000 as opposed to $50,000, this tuch, much faster. Instead of takinll only take 10 years (assuming the

t for residential solar is a barrierof making their entire home sola

ar system that runs just a few ap

nitial investment costs down undex years. Of course, you get whatvide a small amount of power –refrigerator, or a washer and dryer

lar System Professionally

solar system, the only way to du do not want to take the risk of dy approaching it with a do-it-yourfessional electrician, you should shis type of system.

ller will also have the experiencefficiency of a solar system, includjusting the panels to the most ely to your roof.

in-one package, wherein you hireystem equipment and install the

n if warranty issues or maintenanc

installers are NABCEP certified. Nof Certified Energy Practitioners

PV installers and other solar indust

d solar professional, visit the Naller Locator” on the left-hand snals by your zip code or by state.

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he importance of

stem much more-size off-grid ACpe of system will30 years to pay

same figures and

or installing solarr-powered, manypliances. A small,

r $1,000 and willou pay for, so amaybe enough to.

it is to have itmaging your roof elf attitude. Evenill consider hiring

nd know-how toing choosing theficient angle, and

one company toystem. This also

problems arise.

ABCEP stands forthe professional

y professionals.

BCEP website atide and you can





Of course, professional in

solar system, but professiboth through avoiding inwork.

Chapter 8: The Pros and

Some people wonder if dgiven the warnings laidresounding “YES”, do-it-y

people are doing it alreadof these stories, gathered

The $700 Solar System Cab

With four golf cart batterinverters, a guy namedwith 100% solar energy.would be a good way to doff-grid, do-it-yourself s

manner (Source: OtherPo

Dennis' Vacation Home

Dennis DuBois found a lWashington state, but topower grid. To connect itsolar system would costdecided to make his newsaid and done, he spentpaid for nearly a quarter o

A True Solar Haven

Jim and Mindy Phypers wchoice to live off-grid in tmore than a choice abouspiritual statement for thscratch, is just 950 squafeasible. They chose a s



stallation will be another cost to

nal installation can save you monstallation problems and through

ons of DIY Solar Power

-it-yourself solar power is even f out in the previous chapter.

ourself solar is definitely doable,

and telling their stories on the wefrom various blogs and websites.

in

ies, $310 in panels, and discountard took a little cabin in ColoradNow, the seven-sided cabin isn'tescribe it. Nevertheless, it clearlylar can be achieved in a safe

er.com).

ovely little property in the Cascis chagrin he discovered it was noo the grid would cost him $30,000half that amount. After extensiveacation home an off-grid solar proj16,000 on his solar system, but inf his costs (Source: EnergyPrioritie

uld admit to being their own breedeir own straw bale house in the At energy costs; it was also a moem. Their straw bale house, whice feet, which is part of what makand-alone, pole-mounted solar sy

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consider for your

y in the long run,arranties on the

asible, especiallyhe answer is and thousands of

b. Here are a few

d controllers andand powered it

very big; “rustic” emonstrates thatnd cost-effective

de Mountains inconnected to the

; to build his ownresearch, Dennisect. When all wascentive programs.com).

of activists. Theirrizona desert wasral, political, and

they built froms their DIY solar

stem, which cost





them a total of $13,500 a

energy needs (Source: So

For the Ambitious...

Some people will go so faeven more money and enself-sufficient. Truthfully iand turn them into solarand the delicacy of the celare working with them.

There are many guides omore extensive guides willmaking the panels to inScience, the husband andof such a guide. Theirdemonstrate the step-by-

Chapter 9: Where to Get

So, you've decided you hown off-grid solar powerthe equipment?

Thanks to the internet, thdecent equipment at discsolar equipment providers

Google

Ok, so Google rules the wwhy do they make the tohunting for your solar eqas solar panel, inverter, oleft-hand side. Googleshopping easy.



d, together with a wind turbine, p

larHaven.org).

as to make their own solar panelsables their DIY solar power projectt's not actually that hard to take ianels; the real trouble is the amouls. It's very easy to break or chip t

line for making your own solar pawalk you through the entire DIY stalling and completing your systwife team of Dan and Denise Rojahelpful website is filled with

tep creation of your own solar pan

olar Power Equipment for DIY P

ve the time, the energy, and the cystem. The next question is: Whe

ere are plenty of vendors who canount prices. In this chapter we ha.

rld, but they're not yet making solp of the list? Google is a great resipment. Just type in what you're lcharge controller – and then clickill give you a long list of optio

!

ower-ebook

ovides all of their

. This saves themto be even more

ndividual PV cellst of time it takes

he cells when you

els. Some of thelar process, fromm. Green Powers, is one examplefree videos thatls.

ojects

sh to install yourre do you find all

provide you withve a short list of

r equipment – soource for bargainooking for – suchShopping” on thes, making price





Amazon

Amazon.com is anotherequipment. Search for “sneed to get a solar power

Ebay

Like Google and Amazonabout everything, and thEbay, you can find the co

and sometimes you canalso includes vendors whDIY types who want to ma

WholesaleSolar.com

From generic sites like Ebpower equipment. The fipretty much all the equipower system, right down

RealGoods.com

RealGoods.com's motto istheir extensive catalog f equipment along with soitems. Their Real Goods Ca solar powered cabin.specifications to help youcabin or small home. Th

under $1,200.

GoGreenSolar.com

GoGreenSolar.com also hequipment and solar pefficiency. Their site also ivideos for the inexperienc



reat place to find a variety of solar power kits” for kits that includproject going.

, Ebay is an excellent online maese days that includes solar powponents of a solar power system

ind used components at even chsell packs of solar panel cells fo

ke even the panels themselves.

ay, we now move on to sites thatst on the list is WholesaleSolar.cment you could possibly need foto the battery racks.

“Solar Living Since 1978”, so it's natures a wide variety of both sollar powered gadgetry and otherbin Systems provide all the equipThey include sizing workshee

hoose the right combination of cose systems range from about $5,

s an extensive catalog of both sowered gadgets to increase youncludes an “Education” section witd DIY solar installer.

!

ower-ebook

lar power systemeverything you'll

ketplace for justr equipment. Ont very low prices,

aper rates. Ebaythose ambitious

specialize in solarom, which offersr your own solar

ot surprising thatar power systemenewable energyent you need for

s and technicalponents for your

000 down to just

lar power systemhome's energy

training kits and





Chapter 10: Maintaining

In this chapter we'll coveyou've put it together, apower system.

MAINTENANCE OF A SOLA

Luckily, solar panels thepanels from the 1970s arthe rest of your solar pow

This includes:

1. Cleaning – You will wandust and dirt from blockin

2. Replacing the inverterYou'll need to monitor ydeteriorating.

3. Replacing batteries – T

depending upon how clbattery. Another major facontroller you use. In genbatteries last 2 – 7 years;16 type batteries last 4 –

You should include thesecomponents and calculatin

EXPANDING A SOLAR POW

If you decide you need tothis is possible, but challe

When you initially buildinverters, chargers, and blike puzzle pieces. Later,system by adding additicomponents of your sysbatteries, etc. Therefore itit's not easy.



and Expanding a Solar Power Sys

two topics: maintaining a solar pd the practicality of expanding y

POWER SYSTEM

selves are pretty durable and lstill in operation today. However,

er equipment does require some b

t to regularly wipe down your solarsunlight absorption.

– Most inverters have a lifespan of ur inverter and replace it when

he lifespan of the batteries you us

sely you follow the maintenancctor in battery lifespan is the quaeral: AGM batteries last about 4 –marine batteries last 1 – 6 years;years.

considerations when purchasing sog your maintenance costs.

ER SYSTEM

expand your solar power system oging.

a solar power system, you matteries together in such a way tha

if you decide you want to expandnal panels, you may also haveem, such as getting a differentis possible to expand your system

!

ower-ebook

em

wer system onceur existing solar

ng-lasting. Somesolar panels andsic maintenance.

panels to prevent

about ten years.it shows signs of

will vary greatly

advice for thatlity of the charge7 years; golf cartand deep cycle L-

lar power system

ce you've built it,

ch solar panels,they fit together

your solar powero upgrade otherinverter, addingnce it's built, but





Chapter 11: Heating and

Perhaps having read thiswant a complete solar poMaybe, you think, it woulwith solar energy, thus psolar power system. In thheat or light your home wi

HEATING AND COOLING W

Passive Solar Techniques

The simplest way to useupon passive solar techniare building your home f over the passive solar dewas not initially designedyour home to use passive

• Glaze or replace y

you can greatly incbuilding. Check winthat will keep sunliduring summer mon

• Insulate walls anutilizing the sun's en

• Doors and openinopen, you let in a dvestibules at buildleakage.

Solar Heaters

There are a variety of solpowered by solar panels,heaters are generally a f dramatically reduce heatin



Lighting a Home with Solar Powe

guide up to this point, you have der system to provide energy forbe worthwhile just to heat and/o

reventing the large initial investmis chapter we'll examine what youth solar.

TH SOLAR ENERGY

solar energy to heat and cool youues. It is easiest to employ passi

rom scratch, as this gives you thign. However, even if you are livito take advantage of the sun, yo

solar energy. Here are a few passiv

our windows: By glazing or replac

ease energy efficiency even if youows for the Energy Star label toht in during winter months and

ths.roofs: Good insulation goes a l

ergy for heat.s: As your mother told you, when

raft. To get the most out of your ding entrances and check your

r heaters available on the market,solar pool heaters, and solar watw hundred dollars to purchase ang costs. Overall, they represent a g

!

ower-ebook

cided you do notour entire home.

r light your homent of a completeneed in order to

r home is to relye solar when you

greatest controlg in a home thatu can still modifye solar tips:

ing your windows

have an existingfind the windowslock excess light

ong way towards

you leave a dooroors, use air-lockoors for energy

including heatersr heaters. These

d install, but canood investment.





Solar Cooling

Solar cooling devices inclconditioning units. Usingthese devices are like adevice. Like solar heatepower bills yet are not ne

LIGHTING WITH SOLAR EN

Another solar power optio

today's energy efficient cohundred dollars can provi

Indoors

Choose passive solar to liand natural lighting), orpower to light your homdedicated to providing poand cooling methods m

inexpensive and easy to

Outdoors

More and more people arare garden and pathwayday, they collect solar enthat energy to provide oucan install enough lightdriveway, sidewalk, or gar

Appendix A: A List of Sol

Campers, hikers, bikers,electronics in remote aresolar chargers are often spower to charge up onerecommended solar charg



ude solar-powered attic fans andolar panels and other basic solar

miniature solar power system thats, solar powered cooling can drrly as expensive as a complete sola

ERGY

n is the use of solar power to light

mpact fluorescents, just a few solae you with all the light that you ne

ght your home (in other words, rhoose active solar power. Again,

is like installing a miniature soler to just one aspect of your homntioned above, these systems a

aintain.

relying upon solar powered outdolights that have a solar cell as aergy through the solar hat. At nigdoor lighting. These lights are not

to provide adequate outdoorden.

r Chargers for Small Devices

and others who want to uses are turning to small solar chargall enough to fit inside a pocket an

r two relatively small devices. Herrs:

!

ower-ebook

solar-powered airower equipment,powers just onematically impactr power system.

your home. With

panels and a fewd.

ly upon windowssing active solar

ar power system. Like the heatingre comparatively

or lighting. These “hat”. During the

t, they then usevery big, but youlighting for your

their hand-heldrs to help. Thesed provide enoughis a short list of





Sunforce

Sunforce makes a varietydevices.

Solio Universal Solar Char

This device won't fit inadapters for Motorola, Nand Apple iPod, the Soliobrands. The Solio also ha

a cloudy day the device wi

Power Film Roll-Up Model

Power Film makes a varieup into a shape that wibackpackers.

Brunton SolarRolls

Like the Power Film modelcompact shapes.

Appendix B: Further Rea

Sources for Chapter On

Alivisatos, Paul. “How doe20, 2008. http://www.sci

power-work

Consumer Energy Center.http://www.consumerenel.html

Renewable Energy Expert.http://www.renewable-en

Wikipedia. “Solar thermalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wi



of solar power chargers for small

er Kit

our pocket but will easily slide ikia, or Samsung phones, along wiill support any cell phone or otheran internal batter that charges fr

ll still charge up your phone.

y of great roll-up chargers that willll fit into a cargo pocket. Perfe

s, Brunton also makes solar charge

ding and Bibliography

:

solar power work?” Scientific Amentificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=

“Passive Solar Design – Thermal Mgycenter.org/home/construction/so

“How does solar power work?” rgy-expert.com/how-does-solar-p

energy.” ki/Solar_thermal_energy

!

ower-ebook

to medium-sized

to a bag. Usingth the Palm Treodevice from thesem the sun, so on

easily roll or foldt for hikers and

s that roll up into

rican: Octoberow-does-solar-

ss.” lardesign/therma

wer-work.php





Sources for Chapter Tw

Free Sun Power. “Basic Tu

Sources for Chapter Th

Solar Sphere. “Different Kihttp://www.spheralsolar.c

Sources for Chapter Fo

Green Buildings. “Solar PaCollection.” http://www.gplacement-how-get-maxi

Macs Lab Incorporated. “http://www.macslab.com/

Sources for Chapter Fiv

Northern Tool and Equipmhttp://www.northerntool.c

Free Sun Power. “Basic Tuhttp://www.freesunpower.

Find-Solar. “My Solar Esticalculator

Sources for Chapter Six

WholesaleSolar.com. “Off-

http://www.wholesalesola

US Department of Energy.http://www.energy.gov/ta

DSIRE USA. http://www.d

Residential Solar Panels. “http://www.residentialsol



o:

torials.” http://www.freesunpower.

ee:

nds of Solar Power Systems.” om/differenkindsofsolarpowersyste

r:

nel Placement: How to Get Maximueen-buildings.com/content/781554um-solar-energy-collection

ptimum Orientation of Solar Panelsoptsolar.html

:

ent. “Solar Power.” om/catalog/buyersguides/solar-po

torials: Solar Panels.” com/solarpanels.php

ator.” http://www.find-solar.org/?

:

Grid System Cost Guide.”

r.com/StartHere/OFFGRIDBallparkC

“Consumer Energy Tax Incentives.xbreaks.htm

sireusa.org/

How do I sell solar power to a utilitrpanels.org/sell-solar-power-utility

!

ower-ebook

om

s.html

m Solar Energysolar-panel-

.”

er-equipment/

age=solar-

ost.html

”

company?” company




http://www residential

Alsever, Jennifer. “A Nice

Times: April 1, 2007.http://www.nytimes.com/

Sources for Chapter Se

Kashani, Hamid. “Do I nedo it myself?” Green Homhttp://greenhomeguide.coinstall-a-pv-solar-system-

North American Board of http://www.nabcep.org/

Sources for Chapter Eig

Other Power. “Ward's Chehttp://www.otherpower.c

Du Bois, Dennis. “Off-GridPriorities Magazine: Septehttp://energypriorities.co

Solar Haven. http://www.

Green Power Science. http

Sources for Chapter Te

WindSun.com. “Deep Cyclhttp://www.windsun.com/

SunRunHome.com. “Solarhttp://www.sunrunhome.

Sources for Chapter Ele

PassiveSolarEnergy.info. h


olarpanels org/share the solar

tiff Breeze, and a Nice Little Power

007/04/01/business/yourmoney/0

en:

d a professional to install a PV solaGuide: May 22, 2010.

m/askapro/question/do-i-need-a-pr-can-i-do-it-myself

ertified Energy Practitioners.

ht:

p Solar Power System.” m/wardsolar.html

Solar Powered Home: The PV Systmber 16, 2004. /entries/2004/09/living_a_normal

olarhaven.org/

://www.greenpowerscience.com/

:

Battery FAQ.” Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

Maintenance FAQ.” om/get-started/solar-faq/solar-mai

en:

ttp://www.passivesolarenergy.info

!

ower ebook

Bill.” New York

1wind.html

system or can I

ofessional-to-

m.” Energy

1.php

ntenance-faq

solar power e book

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