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Can You Believe It, $198 Homemade Solar Panels Cut Electric Bills by Over 50%?

gogreen admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:35:36 +0000

Solar panels that capture the abundance of energy sent to us each and every day can be just the relief we need from the high cost of electricity. It almost seems like a crime to turn our backs on this wonderful gift of more free energy than we can possibly use. This is especially true today because it is possible to build your own solar panel with simple tools for less than $200. These homemade solar generators are capable of reducing household electricity costs by 50% or more.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Photons, the energetic particles found in sunlight, strike the individual solar cells and bump electrons out of place. The electrons are, in effect, pushed out of the cell and into the wires that connect all the cells together. Ideally each cell will generate about .5 volts of electrical pressure. 80 solar cells wired together in one panel should generate about 100 watts of power.
The Secret Of Making Cheap Solar Panels
The secret to making an inexpensive solar panel is in scrounging low cost or free solar cells. The lower the cost of this project the faster it will pay for itself. Using your own labor to assemble free solar cells into just one panel should pay back the original costs in just a few months. Buying a brand new pre-assembled and installed panel for over a $1000 might take 5 -10 times longer.
The Parts Of The Complete Solar Panel System
Plan A: This is the simplest system. The direct current DC electrical output from the solar panel goes to a bank of deep cycle batteries for storage. The batteries are then connected to an inverter that converts the DC Current to the kind of alternating current that most household appliances require. This is then wired to directly power a specific group of appliances completely separate from the house wiring.
Plan B: Takes the above system a step further by connecting to the electrical wiring in your house at the main fuse box. Legally, this step almost always has do be performed by a certified electrician. Some power companies will actually pay you in the form of energy credits for sending excess energy back out into the grid.
Plan C: This system works completely off the grid for homes that have no electric power coming to their home at all. The key element here is to have back-up sources of power interconnected with the solar panels for supplying power on days that there is no sun. Windmill generators and gas powered generators often serve as additional sources of power.
The Advantages Of Solar Panel Systems
Besides providing almost free electricity, solar panel systems are quiet, non-polluting, low maintenance, safe and if properly weatherproofed could last up to 50 years. They can also be a life saver if you live too far from the electric grid to economically afford to extend the transmission lines to your location.
If you tie into the electric grid, it is even possible to get paid by the power companies for any electricity generated over and above your personal needs.
The Need For A Good Plan
Despite the simplicity of a building your own solar panels, it is important to have a complete set of plans. Good plans should, at the bare minimum include the following:
1. Ideally these set of plans will originate from authors that have successfully built and used solar panels themselves. 2. The plans should give a brief background of simple electrical terms like watt, volt and amps. 3. A detailed explanation of the different types of solar cells and exactly where to find them. 4. Wiring diagrams for understanding how to wire the individual cells together. 5. How to build a protective case. 6. How to run this power into your house directly to certain appliances or to hook up to the current household wiring.
The simplicity of capturing the sun’s daily gift of free energy to reduce or even eliminate your electric bill is almost unbelievable. Equally amazing is the fact that we live in an age of abundant free and low cost used solar cells. Don’t you think that it is time to solve your own energy crisis instead of waiting for our Government or the Power Companies to fix it? Take the easy first step and grab a set of plans for building your own solar panels.

For in-depth reviews of some of the top homemade solar panel and guides just follow this link: How To Build Your Own Solar Panels
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Make Homemade Solar Panel-Learn How To Make Homemade Solar Panel

gogreen admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:23:40 +0000

The greatest thing about solar power is that it has an unlimited potential. Contrary to the popular belief learning how to make homemade solar panel isn’t technical, the truth is, you can solar power your complete home for a very small investment. You just need to know how to make your own renewable energy source and today I am going to tell you exactly how to go about making solar panel.

If you want to learn how to make homemade solar panel, you’ll first have to understand some basics on how exactly does a solar panel works. This way, the whole process will be pretty simple to handle. Solar modules are the main components exposed directly to sunlight. Their main function is to change the sun’s energy into electrical energy that can be utilized by electrical equipments. To have them correctly installed, solar modules are to be mounted on a steel frame and placed on the roof top.Power generated by the solar modules is converted from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) through an inverter.

Generally, Alternating Current (AC) is the utilizable electrical power that we need to power the home appliances.Next, the electrical power transfers from the inverter to the electrical service panel. The electrical service panel is used for transmitting the electrical power to different parts of your house or office for use.The unutilized electrical power generated by the solar panels will then be brought into the grid via the utility electric meter. Thus, the meter will be made to spin backwards and this establishes a credit with the utility company in offsetting any future usage.

This method is known as Net Metering and is authorized by the State Level Electricity Policy.Learning how to make homemade solar panel isn’t really complex. You don’t need many skills beyond being able to handle wiring & basic tools with care and safety measures.The components needed for making solar panels include:

1. Solar Cells

2. Copper Wire

3. Sheet Plywood

4. Clear PVC Sheeting

5. General Tools (Drills, screwdrivers, woodwork glue etc)

All these components can be bought pretty reasonably by you from the local hardware store. Photovoltaic cell is the only component that you might have to search online and it can be found easily on eBay.

Quality instructions that are easy to follow are very important to find when trying to learn how to make solar panel. This will make the building process less stressful and make you happier that you made the choice to do it yourself. Online is just one of the places you are able to find some of these manuals.

We have reviewed the best guides available to help you to learn to build your own solar panel. Go ahead and check them out NOW……learn how to make homemade solar panel and stop paying for utility bills…FOREVER!

Stop paying your energy bills and throwing money out of the window. Learn How To Make Homemade Solar Panel, easily and save $1000’s on utility bills forever! Learn how thousands of people worldwide have slashed their electric bills by 80% and at times completely eliminated them by using the Best DIY Solar Power Guides on the planet, that have step by step instructions and videos that even a novice teenager can follow to make solar panel.
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Green Energy – Wind Power

gogreen admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:41:31 +0000

Green Energy: Solar Energy: Discover the power of sunlight. In this box you will build a solar furnace to explore how the sun provides us with a renewable source of energy. Hydropower: Discover what moving water can do! In this box kit you will build a water wheel to learn how moving water can be used to create energy. Geothermal Energy: Discover the energy from the core of the earth! In this box kit you will build a steam boiler to learn how the sizzling heat (more…)

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Wind Energy Basics, Second Edition: A Guide to Home- and Community-Scale Wind-Energy Systems (Paperback)

gogreen admin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:31:22 +0000

Review

Midwest Book Review-?In Wind Energy Basics, Paul Gipe provides the reader with an informative and easy-to-understand guide to small and micro wind systems for the generation of energy. Gipe includes detailed information on planning, purchasing, siting, and installing a wind system, and explains the integration of wind power with solar photovoltaics for more cost-effective and reliable off-the-grid applications. Gipe also explains ?net metering? and intertie possibilitie (more…)

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Power House Energy Kit

gogreen admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:20:47 +0000

Explore timely and important technologies. Our award-winning Power House helps early teens discover the ways energy can be created from sun, wind, plants, and electro-chemical reactions; Kit comes with an incredible 96-page full-color lab manual that introduces key concepts and describes dozens of experiments and scientific activities. (Age 12+)

(more…)

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Urban Wind Energy (Hardcover)

gogreen admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:38:22 +0000

Responding to growing international interest in wind energy and decentralized energy production, this book focuses on the potential for exploiting wind power in urban areas. With radical implications for the generation of renewable energy in the city and hence our environment as a whole, this landmark book paves the way for significant developments in low-energy design and high-rise architecture.Having outlined the fundamentals, the authors examine wind enhancement and integrati (more…)

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Renewable Energy Made Easy: Free Energy from Solar, Wind, Hydropower, and Other Alternative Energy Sources (Paperback)

gogreen admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:58:43 +0000

Studies have shown that the average North American family will spend more than a quarter of a million dollars on energy in a lifetime. What many other countries, including Germany, Spain, France, Denmark, China, Brazil, and even Iceland, have realized is that there is a better way to power our homes, businesses, and cars by using renewable energy sources. Recently, the United States has begun to understand the importance of reducing its reliance on coal, natural gas, nuclear (more…)

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Should I Install A Wind Turbine At Home?

gogreen admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:40:13 +0000

It doesn’t really matter what subject you talk about there are always people who are going to have different opinions. Whether or not you should build your own wind turbine is one of those subjects.

There are thousands of people who have taken the plunge and built their own, there are also many people who think it’s a waste of time.

I don’t know the technical aspects of how a turbine works. I do know that the energy of the wind is converted to electricity which is then used or stored in a battery for later use.

Turbines do come in sizes small enough for you to use in your own backyard. They also come in different shapes even though the most common is the wind mill style. You can build your own turbine in a couple of days for a few hundred dollars, all the parts you need can be found at your local hardware store. Many homeowners have had savings of up to 80% off of their electric bills.

The downside of building your own turbine is the upfront expense and the time. It’s also important to note that while one turbine can help you save money on your utility bill, it won’t supply enough electricity for all of your household needs. You will still need to pay for some electricity from your utility company.

Of course in order for your turbine to work you will need wind. Since it’s not going to be windy every day there will be days when you won’t generate any electricity. In this case you could supplement the electricity from your turbine with solar panels, geo-thermal, or other forms of renewable energy, or just buy it from your utility company.

For most people the relatively small investment in a wind turbine is a good investment. While it won’t be enough to get off the grid, it will give you some control over your utility costs as well as bragging rights to all of your friends.

I like to write about anything to do with saving money and the environment. I hope you get some good tips from me and enjoyed your visit.
Thanks for stopping by.
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You Can Build Your Own Domestic Wind Turbine…Easily

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5 Watt Mini Do-it-Yourself Solar Energy Kit

gogreen admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:59:16 +0000

This is the perfect do-it-yourself solar kit for small applications or for solar experimenting. The 5 watt solar panel charges the small 12V 1.2AH sealed battery (SLA). Kit includes 5 Watt framed solar panel, battery, charge controller, fuse holder, female lighter socket and wiring. Comes with easy assembly instructions.

Keep in a sunny location during the day and use whenever you need power for LED lighting and other small charging needs like cell phones, pda’s, iPod, AA/AAA.

Ou (more…)

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Solar Cell Roofing: Energy Producing Shingles That Look Like A Normal Roof

gogreen admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:42:36 +0000

Solar cell roofing made from solar shingles or solar panels is being increasingly incorporated into the construction of new residential and commercial buildings. In many areas, people are choosing to replace their conventional roof with a solar roof when it is time for maintenance. And most of these people would tell you that the long-term value, or short-term increase is resale interest, made it worthwhile.
A solar cell roof is called “building integrated”, also known by the more complete name “building integrated photovoltaic” (BIPV). BIPV suggests that you would have needed that part of the structure built anyway, and you’ve chosen to use material that will also serve the purpose of generating power through solar energy. The first advantage of solar cell shingles or panels on the roof is obvious: some of the initial cost is paid by lowering the overall material and labor costs involved in the construction. The second advantage is that the BIPV does not stand out – it is a normal and expected part of the design and structure of the building. These two advantages often make bipv solar roofing the clear choice over rooftop wind turbines, raised solar panels, and backyard windmills which both stand out and cost a lot more to build and install.
In some parts of the world, often due to government subsidies, many new houses are built with solar roofs. Until recently, this was not the case in the U.S., UK, and much of Europe because the cost remained prohibitive. However, with the invention of what is called “thin film solar technology”, solar roofing tiles, panels and shingles have become easier to fabricate and work with and are much more aesthetically pleasing. This technology is best for pitched roofs where shingles or small tiles are the norm. Large flat roofs, such as the tops of many commercial buildings, can have one giant layer of solar film, or large integrated panels.
Solar cell roofs can be hooked up in two ways – on and off the grid. Off the grid solar power means that you will use the energy you gain from the solar panels and either not be connected at all to the electric company or connected in a way that is completely parallel and unrelated. Off grid applications might be appropriate for houses that are far from electric power lines but get enough sunlight to be completely solar, houses with combination systems with other renewable energy systems, or houses in places that get little sun so it would be unlikely that the solar power generated would ever be more than the house requires. On grid systems are hooked in with your conventional electric supply, and when the solar power system generates more electricity than you need, it actually sells it back to the power company. Your meter literally spins backwards and you can get a zero bill or even a check in the mail instead of a bill.
There is some debate among real estate developers, but the general rule is that any renewable energy source for the home pays off if it returns your original installation investment in ten years or less through energy savings. The invention and perfection of integrated thin film solar roofs has led to us rapidly approaching that return, and possibly even outdistancing it depending on where you live.
There are four things to consider when looking into a solar cell roof:
1. How much sun does your area get each year, independent of the outside temperature?
2. Where does your roof face – ideally it would face east/west of it is a slanted roof?
3. What is the cost now, and projected cost of electricity where you are?
4. What is the general attitude of home buyers in your area to renewables (especially if you might sell your home within 10 years)?
If you do choose solar cell roofing for your home or business you will likely be pleasantly surprised at the efficiency, cost, and savings associated with BIPV.

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