| Did you ever ask yourself why you would like to | | | | which doesn't work without electricity! So having |
| build one or more solar panels? If you're like me, | | | | an alternative power source is very appealing. |
| you probably said to yourself: "I want to build my | | | | I'm also a bit of a closet rebel. I may not go out |
| own solar panels to save money!" | | | | and protest waving signs, but it really bothers me |
| Actually my wife asked me, "Why would you | | | | that I have to keep paying the power company |
| want to build something that you could just go | | | | so much money every month! (Don't even get |
| out and buy and not have to go through all the | | | | me started about property taxes) |
| trouble of building it yourself?" (Doesn't she know | | | | Also, like most of us that live out in the country, I |
| me at all?) | | | | really enjoy the process of building things myself. |
| I immediately told her, "To save money dear!" | | | | Of course there's times when things don't go |
| Later, I started daydreaming and started thinking, | | | | exactly as planned, but that's all part of it. Usually |
| "Why do I really want to build a solar panel?" I | | | | the second time goes much easier, and many |
| was actually quite surprised by the answers I | | | | times you find an easier or better way to |
| came up with; Just don't tell my wife the real | | | | complete the project. |
| reasons! | | | | So when I look below the surface, I have a |
| I realized I like to be different in a low key kind of | | | | number of reasons why I would like to build solar |
| way. The theory of solar energy is very main | | | | panels that have nothing to do with saving money. |
| stream right now, but actually utilizing alternative | | | | Actually Saving money just happens to be a |
| energy is still very much in the minority. (This | | | | positive side effect! |
| makes it cool!) | | | | So now that we have looked deep down and |
| I also like the idea of being self sufficient. Even | | | | admitted why we want to build solar panels I can |
| though I live out in the country, I realized that I'm | | | | tell you that it's not very difficult to build a solar |
| very dependent on the local power company. | | | | panel! It might not look quite as polished as a |
| Without electricity we had no water (well pump), | | | | store bought panel, but as long as it puts out a |
| we also couldn't use the toilets (well pump and | | | | usable voltage, who cares? |
| septic pump), we also have a propane furnace, | | | | |