home solar system

home solar system

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With home energy costs rising steadily, many homeowners are taking a serious, hard look at alternative power sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels. To have a home solar power system professionally installed, however, is prohibitively expensive. Prices start at a minimum of $3000 and only rise quickly from there.

Another option, however, has recently popped up on the internet. Many online companies are willing to sell you, for a small price, plans on how to build your own home solar power system. Some companies even promise that you can build a home solar system for $100, in one weekend, that will power your entire home. Such extravagant claims, however, seem to good to be true, and thus instantly make people suspicious. Therefore, this article will address the key question: do do-it-yourself home solar panels really work, and can they live up to the claims of their advertisements?

The Technology

The internet is filled with blueprints for alternative power generators. Some claim you can convert your car to run on water, or can generate unlimited, free energy with magnets or pyramids. These technologies are rather obviously fakes. After all, if unlimited free energy devices could be built so easily and cheaply, why isn't the whole world using them?

Solar power, however, is a separate category. It is a legitimate technology, tested and proven for over thirty years. If you've ever used a solar-powered calculator, then you already know this. Solar power works. It really can convert sunlight to electricity. That being said, the claim that you can power your entire home with one weekend's work for only a hundred dollar investment is somewhat dubious, and required a closer look.

The Cost

Can you really build a home solar power system for only a few hundred dollars? The answer is yes and no. There are too many variables for each individual situation to make a blanket statement. The materials for the project can all be found at your local hardware or electronics store (with the exception of the solar cells themselves, which can be ordered online). If you already have a fully stocked workshop in your garage or basement with all the tools you need, you could build a solar system relatively cheaply. On the other hand, if you have only a basic home repair tool kit, you'll probably need to buy a lot of specialized tools, which will quickly drive up the price of the project. Either way, the cost of the project will likely to be well over $100. Still, even if it costs you $500, this is still much cheaper than the $3000+ a professional installation would cost.

The Time

Can you really build a solar power system in one weekend? The answer is a qualified yes. If you are an experienced tradesman with skill in carpentry, electronics, and some metalworking, then you could possibly complete the project in one weekend of steady work. On the other hand, if you only have the average home repair skills of a non-professional, it will probably take you several weekends due to the learning curve. If you are a complete novice with no experience or equipment, it could easily become a multi-month project.

The Power

Can you really power your home with a solar power system? Well, that completely depends on your home. If you live alone in a small house with a gas-powered water heater, stove, and furnace, then if you build enough solar panels you could drastically reduce or even eliminate your electricity bill. On the other hand, if you have a large family living in a big, all-electric house, a single solar panel may not make much of a difference. You'd likely have to build and mount several solar panels on your roof to significantly reduce your power bill.

The Final Analysis

Is solar power a legitimate alternative energy technology? Yes. Can you build a solar power system at home? Yes, with the right knowledge and equipment. Can you build it for $100 in one weekend and power your entire home? Almost certainly not. It would take absolutely perfect conditions of skill, experience, and equipment for that to happen. However, even if takes you a month's worth of work, costs $500 instead of $100, and only reduces your power bill by 50%, it will still provide a fantastic return on your investment. The money saved on power bills over the next twenty years will quickly pay for the solar power system. Building your own home solar power system will certainly be a challenging and educational project, but with enough hard work and dedication, it can save you a lot of money far into the future.

There are a number of DIY home solar kits on the market. To see a review of their benefits and costs, visit www.solarpowerhouse.org.

Dan Carter is a senior contributor at the Solar Power House resource website.

Solar System For House - Building Solar System For House