I have seen DIY software which explains everything for novices. Specifically, how to build your own solar panels and tie them into your home electrical system for about $00 in parts.Has anyone tried doing this? Was it easy?
The output of this system will be very small, but it is a staring point. You should consider solar water heating as a way to save on your energy bills. Heating your water accounts for about 25% of your energy use. If you can cut that by 75%, you will save a lot of money. Depending on where you are and how many are in your household, it may cost about $5000 for a do-it-yourself installation. There are tax incentives available that could potentially pay for as much as half of the system. These systems can pay for them selves in as little as 4 - 5 years.
Solar power generation is still in its infancy. Solar panels are incredibly expensive (average of approx $25,000 to equip a house with roof top panels) and are incredibly inefficient. However, the economics and efficiency of solar electricity may evolve into a system of economic, efficient collection systems in time depending on the level of funding available in the future for the necessary research and development. We can only hope.
I used this youtube video to help me build a 2 volt system. I used this video to build a magnet motor attached to a car alternator, I used an old Ford alternator because they are cheap, then put in the voltage reguialtor that I took out of the same car. I then hooked that up to 6 2 volt batteries in series, then I used 4 500 watt inverters, I got it going about 2 weeks ago, I am waiting to how efficient it will make everything, I also do not have my entire house on it. So far I have hooked up my fridge, deep freeze, 52 plasma tv, and washer. I have not hooked anything else into it yet. I have no idea if it has enough power to turn on full load, like I said I am still toying with it, but it seems to be doing fine.
Hi Mitch, Yes they are legitimate ans so much so the government will actually help you pay for them. Someone has already mentioned if you purchase them from your local solar panel installer they will not be cheap.They have come down in price a lot over the last couple of years. Yes you can build your own and no its not too difficult.You need to know in your own mind whether you just want to reduce your utility bill or come off the grid completly. The best solution is a combination of wind and solar power and yes you can build your own windmill as well and at the bottom her I will show you where to go to get easy non technical plans. Naturally the sun does not shine at night so your solar panels would not work then but windmills function 24/7 as long as there is wind. If you have nearby neigbours please be aware windmills do make some noise which might upset your neighbours and of course see if you need planning permission from the town. The solar panel plans show you how to set an 80w solar panel which of course would not be able to power your whole house,but once you have built one why not build loads more and each one will get easier to build. Wish you all the best.
Your location could effect this answer significantly.If you are in an area that requires considerable amounts of heating,and you are looking to save some money with a homemade project,try solar-thermal.S-T is easy and cheap ,can be built from common scrapyard materials,and will give you a great knowledge gateway . The orientation and tracking skills you will learn can be used later with PVs if you choose,or you can make better concentrators for the solar-thermal and build yourself a sterling or rankin cycle engine to generate electricity.If u need heat,or even hot water, u can start saving the money u put into the system immediately. Concentrated PV is here and now ,but, in a year or 2 it will be cheap and readily available and thats when PV will start to approach the efficiency of solar-thermal.there a great sites and groups on just S-T out there ,join 'em,check 'em out,read the free info from those who have built working systems,and you will probably find a more useful method of saving money and the planet at the same time.Just remember to approach it as a hobby/learning experience at first.Start with solar-thermal....theres a reason the anti-greenies point at the ROIs on PVs,great arguement against alt energy,but over the last 30 years I've shut up quite a few skeptics with my solar-thermal projects ,esp. when coupled with geothermal...have fun,make a local scrapyard owner/worker ur freind..................GEOD
