| You can make the most of solar energy with DIY | | | | roof, on a pole, or on ground level to capture |
| solar power projects that you can do around | | | | sunlight and power your home |
| your home to save money and create a positive | | | | - Solarize your home by adding passive solar |
| impact on the environment. | | | | elements |
| Maybe you enjoy being handy, or maybe you're | | | | - Solar water heaters |
| just looking for ways to save money now and in | | | | - Solar powered outdoor lights |
| years to come. The solar energy information | | | | - Solar water pumps |
| highlighted here will give you some helpful tips for | | | | - Wind turbine |
| getting started and great ideas for do-it-yourself | | | | - Solar wood drying kiln |
| projects. | | | | - Solar battery charger |
| Why Consider DIY Solar Projects? | | | | - Solar oven |
| The benefits of DIY solar projects are | | | | - Solar pool heater |
| multi-faceted but easy to see. | | | | Lower Your Homes' Energy Requirements |
| - Return on initial investment in three years rather | | | | You can also make an impact on how efficiently |
| than 10-15 | | | | your home utilizes solar energy by doing the |
| - Less damage to environment | | | | following: |
| - The sun provides an endless source of energy | | | | - Install Energy Star energy saving appliances into |
| - Saves money | | | | your home to help reduce your overall energy |
| - Save on electricity costs and will use less of it | | | | requirements |
| overall | | | | - Use fluorescent and compact fluorescent lights |
| - You can add solar amenities at your | | | | to reduce electricity needs |
| convenience | | | | - Install skylights if possible to take advantage of |
| - Store excess energy to use when needed or | | | | natural daylight |
| sell back to utility company | | | | - Opt for waterless toilets, composting toilets, or |
| - Tools required are basic | | | | toilets that require less water to operate |
| - Quality information often offered for free | | | | - Learn landscaping techniques that reduce your |
| Drawbacks to DIY Solar Projects | | | | energy requirements |
| The two major objections most often spoken in | | | | - Properly insulate your attic |
| reference to DIY solar power projects are: | | | | - Insulate your windows and doors efficiently |
| - Initial cost of materials - can be expensive for | | | | How To Get Started With DIY Solar Power |
| some, even if you're doing it yourself | | | | First, you must figure out and understand how |
| - No sunlight = no power for the home. It's true, | | | | much power your home requires and how much |
| cloudy days and rainy days are not ideal | | | | energy you need to generate. Once you have this |
| conditions for using the sun's energy to power | | | | knowledge, you can figure out how many solar |
| your home. The good news is that there are | | | | panels you'll need to build in order to generate |
| backup systems available to stand in the gap and | | | | your minimum energy levels. |
| provide power for your home even on those "no | | | | Seek out your local zoning board and request a |
| sun" days. | | | | permit to install solar panels on or around your |
| Easy DIY Projects Using Solar Energy | | | | home. You'll also want to contact your local power |
| What projects can you take on yourself without | | | | company to obtain permission to connect your |
| a ton of knowledge? There are hundreds actually, | | | | solar panels to the grid. |
| but we'll list some of the easiest ones here to get | | | | Obtain a good manual with detailed instructions on |
| you thinking. You'll quickly realize that solar power | | | | how to build your own solar panels or any other |
| is well within your reach if you simply know how | | | | beginner's solar project so you know you have a |
| to begin. | | | | good blueprint. |
| - Solar Stills - produce purer water for cooking | | | | Make a list of the items you'll need to complete |
| and drinking | | | | each project and estimate the cost of the |
| - Solar fans - for cooling the attic space so that | | | | project before launching it. |
| your AC unit doesn't require as much energy to | | | | You'll be using free energy from the sun in no |
| run (it will run less often) | | | | time! |
| - Solar panels - build your own to place on the | | | | |