When you consider the cost of solar panels -how much you have to pay for the panels and installation, it’s much cheaper to build them yourself!

Here are my top 6 reasons for building home solar panels in your garage (or wherever):

1. While it definitely requires more of your time and effort (and it may not be for everyone – I know many people, who are severely challenged in the DIY domain), it’s much cheaper than buying ready made solar panels and wind turbines! And it’s really not as difficult as it may seem, either.

2. There are many excellent products that you can find online that can offer you complete, easy to follow instructions (see Links for resources). This makes building and installing your solar panel or a windmill a fun project that you can do yourself or with your kids, family, and friends. Consider the educational component when you build a home solar panel with your kids – PRICELESS!

3. You can make renewable power at your home for less than $200! This is how much it will cost you to purchase all the necessary components. Again, the lesson you will teach your kids if you do it together – PRICELESS.

4. You will save hundreds of dollars every on your power bill every month! You may even find that the power company is paying YOU.

5. You will be able to spend the money you save on other important things (I’m sure you can come up with many ideas here…).

6. Knowing that you are doing your part to conserve our planet truly feels GREAT!

Find more information about solar panels on Home Solar Panels blog. Also read my post: Home Solar Power as an Investment in the Future, where I talk about cost of solar panels.

Six Steps To Getting A Rough Estimate Of Cost For Residential Solar Panels

There are several steps you need to work through in order to calculate the cost of solar panels for your home.

1. Know how much energy you currently use (no pun intended!). By checking your power bill you can see how much you use. It’s advisable to list out your usage over a whole year because of seasonal fluctuations. Make sure you use actual readings rather than estimates which can distort the figures.

2. Carry out an home energy audit. Find out where you are using your power. Follow the 80/20 rule and look at the likely major users first. These will likely include water heating, cooking, refrigeration, laundry, and maybe air-conditioning /central heating and so on. To do this you need to look at the rated capacity on the appliances label. It will normally be stated in kilowatts (KW). You will then need to estimate how long they are each used for each day on average. This will help you target areas for taking conservation measures that will save you money up front.

3. Calculate the number of solar panels you will need using the information from step 2 above and the table below:

Source: US Department Of Energy – “A Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy”

If you require a 2,000 watt (2 KW) system then with a 12% efficient PV module you will need 200 sq. ft. of panels.It’s important to note that the amount of direct sunlight your roof, where you install the panels, receives has a major impact on your solar power generation. This includes the orientation of your available roof space towards the sun.

4. You now have a reasonable indication of the quantity should be so you’re in a much stronger position from which to get accurate and comparable quotes from suppliers. If they say that you need more or less you are in a more knowledgeable position to ask why and clarify any particular issues your situation may have.

5. Don’t forget the installation aspect. Unless you are an experienced handyman then it’s wise to have a professional installer do the job for you. For 10 tips on choosing an installation contractor see pages 22-23 of our “A Beginner’s Guide To Solar Panels”. To get a rough estimate of cost based on industry standards you can use a cost per watt in the range of $9-$12. So for our example of 2,000 watts this should cost between $18,000 and $24,000 installed.

6. Look closely at Federal and State incentives to assist with your upfront costs of going into renewable energy because they can be considerable. These can be in the form of grants, rebates or tax credits.

Good luck and enjoy the benefits.

Read more on this blog http://www.residentialhomesolarpanels.com/

Advancements in technology combined with growing awareness of environmental depletion has led to fast progress in the field of renewable energy. What we are currently witnessing is an unprecedented embrace of renewable energy, something we’ve never experienced before for other types of fuels.

A recent data compiled by the Renewable Energy Network (REN21) shows the global final energy consumption from renewable sources was approaching 16 percent and also powered nearly 20 percent of global electricity.

And not just in industrial world. For example, Algeria is planning to build 6,000 megawatts of solar thermal generating capacity for export to Europe. The Algerians believe that they have sufficient amounts of harnessable energy in their desert to power the entire economy.

The fact is that around the world policies regarding renewable energy are changing. Since 2005, the number of countries with renewable energy policies has more than doubled. Another reason for the growth is the record $211 billion invested in renewable technologies, $41 billion more than 2009.

The number of initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy is growing rapidly worldwide. In the U.S., for instance, Cambridge, Massachusetts, a $1.9 million was allocated to 46 kilowatt grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftop of the Daniel F. Burns Apartments.

Housing 196 units, the apartment complex is expected to save $300,000 a year in utility costs when the project is completed. Other aspects of the project being completed by Ameresco, a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, include water saving retrofits, lighting efficiency improvements, roof replacement, and a high efficiency hot water plant.

“As fossil fuel prices rise, as oil insecurity deepens, and as concerns about climate change cast a shadow over the future of coal, a new energy economy is emerging” writes Lester Brown in his book “Plan B 4.0″.

A striking but true fact is that the sunlight striking the earth in just one hour is enough to power the world economy for one year. “It’s a vision that has long enticed energy planners: solar panels stretching out over vast swaths of the Sahara desert, soaking up sun to generate clean, green power.”

“Algeria seems an obvious source of solar power.

Africa’s second largest country is more than four-fifths desert, with enough sunshine to meet Western Europe’s needs 60 times over, according to estimates cited by Algeria’s energy ministry.

Algeria already uses photovoltaic solar panels to electrify 18 scattered, off-grid villages in the Sahara, and 16 more are due to come on line by 2009. Two such projects are run by British-based company BP.”

(Read more of the story here…)

Going green is the best thing we all could do to help the environment. But, many people have been asking themselves, when does it make sense to go solar and when does it make sense to do the simple, but important things to save energy? This may be a difficult question to answer, and the answer needs to be considered on an individual or household basis. That means that everybody has to take the responsibility to research and discover what does make sense for them.

For most households installing a residential solar system will lower the electric bill.

The average household today pays nearly $170 each month in home energy costs. Some estimates have energy costs pegged at almost $200 per month, a cost of $2,400 for the entire year.

A customized quote tailored to your specific needs will give you the most accurate information on your expected savings.

However, solar systems are not cheap, and the cost factor to purchase and install the solar system, has to be considered. Many people may choose to explore the do-it-yourself route, however, I understand that it may not be for everyone.

For many families, a solar system makes sense because the system will pay for itself in a few years, and time goes by fast. Plus, many states have government incentives that help pay for the initial costs to install a system, which I need to research a little further. Another fiscal benefit to consider when deciding whether or not to install a solar system for your home is the added market value to one’s home.

Home solar panels are a relatively new “home improvement” option, but they have been the center of attention by real estate appraisers in recent years. In 1998 the Appraisal Journal stated that for every $1,000 saved in annual utility expenditures a home’s value increases by $20,000. The idea being that every dollar saved in utility costs can be spent on a higher mortgage payment without a net increase in living expenses. So, if we take a utility bill of $190 per month, over the course of a year that’s $2,280 in annual utility costs.

Now, I don’t think just installing a solar system is a save all. At my home we are doing some simple things to cut down on the amount of power that we use. We use energy efficient light bulbs, energy efficient appliances and so forth.  I feel it is important to think and live in future to save money and the planet – not just live for today.

Find more information about solar panels on Home Solar Panels blog. Also read my post: To Reasons toBuild the Solar Panels Yourself.

Greener living. Reducing carbon footprint. Eco-friendly. Such terms are bandied about a lot these days, and are associated with trying to reduce the damage we do to our planet. In many cases, the most ecologically sound way of doing something is also the most expensive and we have to make a choice: save money or help the environment?

In the case of home solar panels, both are possible. Admittedly, the cost of solar panels is not negligible. They require quite a large investment for installation and possible changes to hot water systems or for electricity generation, but in the long run they will reduce the cost of energy in the home – and they have a tiny carbon footprint. They’ll also add value to a property, particularly with the possibility of an energy crisis in the future.

Home solar panels can be installed to heat water or to produce electricity. There is a common misconception that solar power can be used to run the central heating system of a house, but in nearly all cases this is inaccurate: the heating is separate from the hot water system. While solar power can provide abundant hot water, it’s very unlikely it can heat your house, especially in winter when there’s less sunlight around! For those people who are lucky enough to have an outdoor swimming pool, however, there are pool-heating panel kits available.

Hot water systems generally use one of two types of solar panel: the easily-recognized flat panel or the less well-known solar tube. Flat panels usually consist of thousands of little cells designed to trap and contain solar energy: the cells are usually pyramidal in shape so that they have a bigger surface area to catch sunlight. The panels are covered by a sheet of glass, though often even the covering is made to a special formula to help improve the passage of sunlight, instead of dissipating useful energy into the glass and losing it.

Solar tubes are more efficient than the basic flat panels. They’re built like big thermos flasks: the central area is “evacuated” – in other words, it’s almost a vacuum – and the tubes are lined up into a square, much like the flat panel. The advantage of the tube design is that the glass is not flat or pyramidal: the tube shape means that there’s 360 degrees being heated by the sun, throughout the day. That’s a lot more surface area. Once the surface is heated and the central, evacuated area warms up, the tubes act like that thermos flask, trapping the heat inside so that it can be used.

Both flat panels and evacuated tubes are used for hot water systems. To generate electricity (and sell the surplus to the energy companies!), “PV” panels are required. “PV” stands for “photovoltaic” – these solar panels capture sunlight in similar ways, but are built to convert that energy into electricity instead of using it to heat water pipes.

All solar systems have certain requirements and will give varying results. They have to be installed on a south-facing roof, at an angle of between 20 and 50 degrees, so that they capture sunlight for as long as possible during the day. They can be installed on a flat roof as well, but part of the installation will be to prop the panels up at the appropriate angle.

The return on the initial investment depends very much on a house’s “microclimate”. In the UK, for example, there is less powerful sunlight than near the equator – about 55% as much. In the more northern states of North America, figures are similar, whereas down in the south there’s a great deal more heat. In general, though, solar water heating can provide hot water on demand for an average family throughout the year with very little – if any – backup required from a boiler system.

In any case, it’s worth getting quotes on prices and possible returns from a professional, even if you eventually decide to do the installation yourself or build the solar panels yourself.

More Solar Energy information.

Find more information about solar panels on Home Solar Panels blog. Also read my post: Home Solar Power as an Investment in the Future, where I talk about cost of solar panels.

If the cost of solar panels seems high to you, start by working out how much energy you use and carry out an energy audit to identify savings you can make. This reduces the cost of solar panels for homes in most cases because you don’t build in surplus capacity.

Work on weather-proofing your home. Sealing up doors and windows can produce big energy savings by cutting down on heating or AC usage. Make sure (or have a professional do an energy audit for you) that you have enough insulation. One area that can usually benefit from more insulation is the attic, especially in n older homes.

In the summer cool your house naturally. You can reduce heat entering your house by closing the curtains and blinks during the sunny days and using ceiling fans. If you must, reserve the use of air conditioning for the hottest days and set it for about 75F or higher. If you don’t have one already, consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically raise the temperature when no one is home. Of course, you can do it manually too, by adjusting the temperature before leaving the house. In winter lower the temperature to keep the interior cooler.

Switch off the lights and unplug electronic equipment when not in use. Establish a rule in your home to always turn the lights off when you leave a room, and switch the TV, stereo and computer are off when not in use. Better still, unplug all equipment that you are not using (TVs, DVDs, computers and kitchen appliances all use some electricity even when they are not turned on). For outdoor lights, consider a timer or use motion detectors instead of always leaving outside lights on.

Eat more of your meals raw. It is ideal for our health that our meals consist of at least 60% or more of fresh RAW fruits and vegetables. So make yourself big raw vegetable salads every day and have some sweet ripe fruit for desert. It is great for the planet, for you and for your wallet!

Choose counter top kitchen appliances over their stove top equivalent. I do not recommend eating meat or fish raw, so for that consider buying a slow cooker, or a crock pot. Slow cooker can be used for everything from making roasts to stews. Because new ones use only the same amount of energy as a single light bulb, they are a very energy efficient way of cooking. When boiling water, choose a counter top electric kettle instead of using your stove. They use significantly less electricity and get the job done faster.

Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are operating efficiently. A fridge or freezer that is only half full uses significantly more energy than a full one, so keep them well stocked (you may even keep bottles of water if you don’t have enough food). If you have a really old refrigerator, maybe it’s time for a new one? Refrigerators (and other appliances) are becoming more energy efficient. Those that are over 10 years old can use up to 60% more electricity than new models. Clean the condenser at least once a year and maintain the temperature of the fridge at 37F and the freezer at 0F. This will keep your food at the perfect temperature without using excess electricity.

Before starting your dishwasher, make sure it is full. You’ll use less electricity and less water – and your dishes actually be cleaner! Another good tip that I received recently is to allow your dishes air dry or use the cool dry option rather than using the heat dry setting. Just by doing this you will cut the energy used for each load by up to 50%!

Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. Even thought more expensive, in the long run the fluorescent light bulbs cost less. They can last almost ten times longer and use about 75% less electricity than incandescent light bulbs, so you will not only save money, but you will be producing less garbage. If you were to change only five of the light bulbs that you use most often, the saving can be about $30 per year.

Replace your older dimmers with digital dimmer switches. Although having dimmers on your lights is a great way to save energy, some of the older styles are no more efficient than regular switches. If you have a dial dimmer, check to see if the switch itself feels warm. If it does, you are not saving any energy by using it. Consider replacing it with one of the new digital dimmers to increase the amount of energy saved.

Insulate your hot water pipes. Insulate the first meter of pipe leading into and out of your hot-water tank as well as any metal hot-water pipes running through unheated spaces in your home. This quick and easy project will reduce the amount of electricity you use and save you some money.

Hang your clothes to dry instead of always using a dryer. If you choose to use the dryer, make sure the lint filter in your dryer is clean. Having a full lint filter in your clothes dryer can result in 30% more energy being used. Clean it before every use and scrub it with a soft bristle brush a few times a year. To check and see if it needs to be cleaned, fill it with water and see whether it drains. Often tiny particles can clog the holes even though it appears that they are clear.

Install motion detectors on your outdoor lights. Instead of leaving on your outdoor lights all evening, install motion detectors so they only come on when needed. This relatively simple change can save as much as 30% of the electricity needed for your outdoor lighting.

Find more information about green home and home solar panels on Home Solar Panels blog. Also read my posts: Home Solar Power as an Investment in the Future, where I talk about cost of solar panels and top reasons why you should build the solar panels yourself.