Grid Free Power

When times get tough many people look for ways to save money. One of the most popular ways to save money is by becoming more energy efficient. In order to save on energy many people turn to replacing windows or more efficient water heaters. One thing many people fail to think of is installing DIY solar panels.

A solar panel will offset a large portion of your electric bill for years to come. Not only will they save you money but they are also a environmentally friendly energy source. Many states also have various tax incentives for installing solar panels. They can be installed on both residential and commercial properties. There is just some basic information you should have before deciding if solar panels are for you.

The solar panels you will likely build are called Photovoltaic panels. These panels will take in sunlight and covert it into usable electricity. The main problem with these panels is that each Photovoltaic cell collects a very small amount of electricity. In order to collect a viable amount these panels must be positioned in an array. An array is nothing more then a group of solar panels. The position of the panels is also a important consideration. The most common location is a rooftop. In many cases an open field will also work. The panels should be facing south and given a 45 degree tilt. This is an ideal positioning but variation will still work. The most important thing is a clear view of the sky to maximize light intake.

While installing DIY solar panels may not be able to eliminate you need for all outside electricity it will be able to cut your consumption by up to 50%. If you are happy with your panels you may consider getting a full solar panel kit in the future. Whatever your long term energy goals solar panels can be a fun and environmentally friendly way to save some big money.

I have found out a way that you can build your own solar energy panels.  Generate your own electricity with something that you build yourself, saving thousands of dollars off of buying new.

Amazingly almost anyone can build their own solar panels, without any solar energy experience with the guide we have found.

This guide I’ve found to build your own solar panel system provides step by step instructions and is easy to follow. You don’t have to be a do-it-yourselfer, or even be especially handy. Almost anyone can build their own solar panel with the plans, and step-by-step instructions.

The average solar panel array costs $27,000.  You can build your own for a small fraction of that.  Build one, or build a whole array.

The cool thing about this guide is that it has detailed videos showing you every thing that you need to do.
Check out this video, then click to find out more about DIY solar

Have fun, save money and save the environment. What a great project!

Hi everyone,  Thanks for all the great comments on my blog and newsletter.  Your encouragement makes me want to research and write even more.

I’m into DIY solar for several reasons, obviously to save money, but also for the environment.  Several people have written to me about their environmental interests too, especially about global warming and greenhouse gasses.  I thought I’d do some research and write about how installing solar panels help these.

Using solar energy produces environmental benefits right away, since you are reducing or eliminating your draw on the electrical grid (grid free power!). Electricity is most often produced by burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. When these fuels are burned, many pollutants are put into the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) these create acid rain, smog and because of our use of them are increasing these all the time. The carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is what makes up the bulk of greenhouse gasses. These gasses contribute to global warming, climate change and the science community agrees that we must lower the amount of these gasses in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million. (see 350.org)

Our burning of fossil fuels puts more than 6 billion tons of carbon into the air each year! Solar energy, provides electricity while also eliminating the pollution that would have been created to generate that power.   This prevents damage to the environment and public health, while also saving you money.  It’s a win-win-win situation!

Solar power is clean energy. When you generate electricity from the sun, you are putting no (none!) pollutants into the atmosphere.  Even when you figure in what pollution is created when the cells are manufactured, generating power using photovoltaic cells produces less than 15 percent of the carbon dioxide from a coal-fired power plant. Making them yourself from recovered parts (as I give instructions for in my newsletter)

If only 1 million homes converted to solar energy, that would reduce CO2 emissions by 4.3 million tons per year.  That’s like taking 850,000 cars of the road.

As you know I’m really interested in making my own solar panels and have had great success with the DIY Solar Power Instructions that I recommended in an earlier blog.  I was amazed, and maybe you will be too, how cheap and easy they are to make.  And fun!

President Barack Obama toured solar manufacturer Solyndra on Wednesday. The President is a big supporter of Solar Power.  Solyndra manufactures solar panels.  The administration also has supported Solyndra and other solar manufacturers with loan guarantees to jump start the solar industry in the US. This is great news for solar fans as prices will drop, technology will get better, and solar panel parts will become easier to obtain.

I know with my projects, I’m looking forward to increased production.  And I saw that Solyndra makes thin film solar cells.  I haven’t done any projects with those, have you?

I have two kids and while I’ve learned to make my own solar panels using the DIY solar panel instructions, and my kids have watched end even helped, I wanted to get them something that they could do by themselves. I found these great alternative energy science kits from superchargedscience.com that my kids love. Check them out.

Hello world! I’m an avid do-it-yourselfer. I’ve done many DIY projects. As energy prices climb, and we keep hearing about global warming, I thought I’d turn my energies towards generating electricity. I’m going to use this blog to talk about some of the projects I’ve done in Solar power generation, wind (you can set up your own turbine!), and even some hydroelectric projects. It has been a fun area of exploration, and lucrative as if you’re connected to the grid you can sell back your excess power. And if you’re off the grid there are various ways to store your power.

Check back to my blog frequently and you’ll find interesting tips, plus I’ll be including links to some of the best resources I’ve found out there on the web.

— Joe