Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Alternatives to Expensive Solar Power Solutions

Welcome to Build-Solar-System.Org dedicated to providing you the best DIY Solar resources on how to build home solar power system or solar hot water heater for your home.

Solar energy is shining again. Its comeback is being fueled by a combination of federal and state tax incentives, the desire of fed-up homeowners to lower their utility bills, and increasing concern over dwindling natural resources. Solar along with wind power solutions are definitely the way of the future.

But even with all the enticing incentives, solar energy is cost prohibitive to many homeowners, unless you have a viable alternative. We found several solar power kits and DIY solutions for solar hot water heater that will allow you to save hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill and won’t cost you a fortune to build. Please learn more solar energy facts on our site, check out the following DIY Home Solar Kits and save some green by going green!

DIY solar power kits

There are dozens of diy solar power guides. It created a healthy competition, so nowadays they all include something extra like diy wind power generators and manuals on  “green and healthy” living. So current offers give you far better values than a year ago.

DIYPowerSystem Very good value. Includes 5 components covering diy solar power, DIY wind power, Bio-Diesel…and even a manual on how to build your own house	Energy2Green Inside are two great manuals guiding you step by step through the process of building Solar Power and Wind Power Systems.	GreenDIYEnergy Excellent bundle of guides that covers all aspects of building Solar Power System at Home. Great step-by-step instructions. Includes bonus Video Guides.

DIY Solar Water Heaters

Concerned about high cost associated with your water heater? solar water heating system is the best way to reduce your electric bill by 30% or more. The most surprising discovery is that one doesn’t need to spend a fortune in order to build an affordable and efficient Home solar hot water heater.

Simple Solar Water Heater Very easy and affordable solar water heating System. Saves up to 33% of your electric bill. Works in any climate zone.	DIY Solar Hot Water Excellent system. Clear and easy to follow instructions. Great choice for DIY enthusiasts building Solar Hot Water System.

Use the Power of the Sun. Save the planet. Save some Green by Going Green.

But no, solar power is simple, really. And the best part is that with Do-It-Yourself solar power kits, you only need to know the basics. The advanced stuff is taken care of by the manufacturer, and you’re just the user.

Think of it as similar to a personal computer. If you’re not a techie, you probably don’t know much about what’s actually going on inside the machine you’re using to view this article right now. Operating systems are designed to give the impression that computers are pretty simple, so we tend to forget that none of this stuff would be possible without the hard work of thousands of computer geniuses.

Green energy technology is beginning to reach the same level. While it does help to have some tech knowledge (as it does with computers), you can install and use small solar panels at your house without knowing much of anything at all. All you need is the ability to follow instructions.

Here’s how a basic Do-It-Yourself solar power system works:

• Photovoltaic cells: The word “photovoltaic” basically means “light electricity,” a.k.a., “solar energy.” That’s all. If you’re looking at solar power kits that say “photovoltaic,” that just means they convert sun into energy. But you already knew that, so don’t be intimidated by the big word.
• How does it work? When light hits certain kinds of metals, electrons are emitted—and electrons are the basis of electricity. Most photovoltaic cells are made of the metal silicon, primarily because silicon is very sensitive to this effect, and it’s also a good conductor of electricity. Using this method, the PV cells gather electricity, store it, and feed it into your home’s electricity system. Pretty simple, right?
• What about when the sun’s not out? Yes, it’s true that home solar power systems don’t gather electricity when the sun is down or when it’s very cloudy. This is one of the downsides of the technology. However, what home solar power kits can do is store energy for later use.
• How much energy is generated? Here’s the bad news. If you build your own solar system, you’re probably not going to be able to cover all your energy needs via solar. It’s going to be a while before simple solar power kits reach that point. However, small solar panels can take some of the load off. For a modest-sized house, it’s reasonable to expect your system to cover the equivalent of about two days’ worth of energy per week. Of course, when you spread this out over months and years, this equals big savings.

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But in case you’re still on the fence about whether to do this at all, let’s run through some of the basic advantages and disadvantages of building solar power systems at home.

Advantages

• Savings: Solar panels can help you save money on your energy bill. They may not cover all your power needs, but they can take care of a substantial portion of your energy use. You’ll also save money on installation costs.
• Security: If you build your own solar system, you’ll have back-up power in the event of a blackout in your area. Of course, if the blackout lasts longer than a couple of days, you’ll eventually be in the same boat as everyone else. But your Do-It-Yourself solar power system will get you through a few hours, at least. Most blackouts don’t last that long.
• Learning experience: When you build your own solar system, you’ll learn some things about how solar power works, and you’ll understand the workings of your own system. This way, if anything goes wrong, you won’t have to worry about calling a technician to come out and help you.
• The planet: Finally, let’s not forget that solar panel installation is the right thing to do. Sure, it saves money and all that stuff, but there’s a bigger picture: Installing solar power at home helps save the environment. Plus, switching to sustainable energy is the socially responsible thing to do.

Disadvantages

• Limitations: If you install do-it-yourself solar power, you’ll probably have to settle for relatively cheap solar panels that work well but don’t cover all your energy needs. More powerful systems are simply not available for self-installation at home, as they can be dangerous and very complicated.
• Installation: While home solar kits are usually pretty simple to install, there are some that are slightly more complicated. If you get in over your head, there’s always a chance that you’ll make a mistake somewhere during the installation process. If you hire someone to help, everything will be expertly done, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
• Customizability: When you hire a professional contractor to install your home solar system, you’ll usually be given the chance to choose from a variety of options and customizations. When you build your own solar system, your solar panel installation package might not be so flexible.
• Bills: Do-It-Yourself solar power systems generally aren’t designed to cover all of the energy needs for a home. They can take some of the pressure off, but if you want an all-encompassing system, you’re going to have to hire someone.

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But I’m sure you know this is no longer the case, and that DIY home solar power is becoming more and more accessible to everyone. And if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that, at least in the back of your mind, you’re thinking you’d like to build your own solar power system. Maybe you’ve even been browsing through solar power kits online.

The first thing I have to say is this: Set aside your old preconceptions about solar energy. This is the 21st century. We’re living in a time of rapidly advancing technology. Okay, maybe it’s taking a little longer than we thought it would to get spaceships and personal jetpacks, but it’s a high-tech age nonetheless.

And solar power is not a fleeting trend. On the contrary, we’re living on the cusp of the green energy age, and solar power is likely to play a major role in humankind’s energy scheme for centuries to come.

So let’s set aside those doubts and start thinking about how we can turn this idea into a reality. Are there cheap, practical ways to build your own solar system?

Let’s say you have a little bit of time and money to invest, but not that much; and let’s say you’re moderately handy, but no Bob Villa. 10 years ago, you may have been out of luck. But 2010 is a whole new age, and finding and installing some cheap solar panels is entirely within the realm of possibility for you. In fact, if you do it the right way, it can be downright easy.

But before you start flashing your credit card around the hardware store, there are a few things to remember:

• Money does equal quality: These days, there are so many companies cashing in on the home solar power trend that it can be hard to keep track of them. But the one thing to keep in mind is that the quality of your DIY home solar power will depend on the quality of your materials. Cheaply made solar power kits generate less energy than well-made ones. It’s that simple.
• You’ll still have energy bills: You can take care of some of your energy needs with an easy-to-install starter kit, but, unless you have a very small house, you’ll have to stay plugged in to the local energy company.
• Don’t get in over your head: If you’re committed to doing this yourself, keep it simple. When you start getting into the more complex solar power kits, it won’t be long before you need professional installation help, and that can get costly.

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I know that when I started out in the solar energy, I had some questions that were so simple that I was almost too embarrassed to ask them. So let’s get these things out of the way, and then we can move on to the more technical stuff.

1. How much money can you save with a solar hot water heater? The answer depends on your energy bill. If you energy bill averages, say, $100 a month, you can expect to save anywhere between $30 and $70 each month. If you have a larger house that needs a larger water heating system or you are considering pool solar panels, you can save much more.

2. What other reasons are there to invest in solar water heating? You’ll do more than just save money. You’ll also be able to achieve self-reliance in this segment of your energy needs. Even during those rare blackouts that happen everywhere, you’ll be able to have hot water. Plus, you’ll do your small part for the planet.

3. How much do these systems cost? Again, this depends upon your needs and the size of your home. If you have a small home and your family’s water needs are not huge, you can get a solar heating system for under $1000. And once it’s installed, there are very few maintenance costs in the long-term.

4. Do solar hot water heaters need to be plugged into the power grid? For the most basic types of solar hot water heating systems, the answer is yes. You’ll keep your hot water heating system plugged into the standard power grid, but this power source will only kick in when the solar fails to keep the hot water in your home at a minimum temperature. This won’t happen all the time—only when you use a lot of water or there isn’t much sun.

5. Are there DIY solar hot water heaters? If you have some skill with installing and maintaining things around the home, you should have no trouble putting in your own DIY solar hot water heater. You can hire professionals to do the job, but they typically charge rather large hourly rates. So if you don’t have to, why bother?

6. What are the basic types of solar hot water heating systems? There are different ways to categorize these systems, but the biggest one is open systems vs. closed systems. Open systems circulate the water directly through the heating apparatus. Closed systems heat the water indirectly using non-toxic antifreeze. Open systems are fine for warmer climates, while closed systems are best for places where the outdoor temperature regularly goes below freezing.

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Or, if you’re someone who is looking into pool-heating options for the first time, why not skip those costlier options and invest in a heating system that doesn’t have to be plugged into the power grid? Once you install it, it’s free, it’s environmentally sustainable, and it requires little maintenance.

Swimming pool solar heating Systems

Basic DIY solar hot water heaters have a few standard parts. Obviously, they come with solar water heater panels that are placed on your roof, where they gather heat from the sun. Most systems also include a pump, which circulates water through the heating system. And most also have filters that clean the water as it returns to the pool.

That’s all there is to it. Heat from the sun warms the water, and the warmed water is circulated through the pool. Ideally, you’ll also have a insulated swimming pool cover to hold in the heat for when you want to swim after dark.

What Do You Need?

First of all, if you want to  put in a DIY solar water heater, you don’t need to live in a warm climate. Contrary to popular belief, solar power doesn’t require hot temperatures to work. All it needs is the sun. If you don’t believe me, consider the fact that most of the research facilities in Antarctica are solar powered. That’s the coldest place in the world, and they do just fine with their solar energy. It’s all about sunlight, not sun-heat.

Next, you need to know how powerful your system needs to be. A good rule of thumb is that your solar power collectors need to equal your pool in square footage. In other words, if your pool is 10 ft by 20 ft (200 square feet), you’ll need 200 square feet of solar collectors.

Meanwhile, if you invest in a high quality pool cover, you’ll be able to make sure your system runs as efficiently as possible. If your cover is well-insulated, you can even cut back on your collector square footage by 10% or so.

Finally, all you need to do is compare the costs and qualities of the systems that are on the market, and find the one that best suits your needs. If you want one of the higher-end swimming pool solar heating systems, there’s a good chance it’ll be a little too complicated for self-installation, and you may have to hire someone to do it for you. On the other hand, if you’re only interested in DIY solar systems, avoid the cheaper options that are made of lower-cost materials. Invest in quality, and you’ll get a return in savings.

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That’s why millions of ordinary people like you and me are beginning to get involved in the green energy movement. Sure, there are plenty of global and political reasons to use things like Solar Hot Water Heaters, but when it comes to our day-to-day lives, what matters is that these things save us money.

How Much do Solar Hot Water Heaters Save?

Exactly how much do they save? Well, that depends. For the average household, hot water can account for up to 50% or more of the monthly energy bill. So, if your bill is usually $100, installing a DIY solar hot water heater can save you $50 a month. Not bad when you add this up over months or years. Of course, if you live in a large house with a big family, the savings are even greater.

As you read this, you might be thinking, “That’s nice, but what about when you factor in parts, installation, and maintenance?” Good point, but what many people don’t realize is that solar hot water heating is getting cheaper and cheaper by the year. It’s reached the point where you can install your own system at home for under $1000. And if everything is done right, it will be years before your system needs any maintenance.

So, you have to think of it as a long-term investment. Yes, installing solar hot water heating will cost a small chunk of change right now, but you’ll be thankful in a year or two.

How Does Solar Hot Water Heating Work?

It’s very simple. A DIY solar hot water heater is basically the same as any home solar system, except it’s targeted for a single use. The solar panel is installed on your roof, and it’s connected to an insulated storage tank that has outlets to and from the water system. Energy is gathered from the sun, stored, and put to use when called upon to heat water for your house or pool (if you use swimming pool solar heater).

The energy storage component of the system is essential. Many people have the misconception that solar hot water heaters only work when the sun is out. This is far from the truth. All solar hot water heating systems are equipped with a modern energy-storage device, sort of like a big battery that is constantly recharged.

Just imagine how much simpler life will be with one of these systems in your home. You won’t have to worry about cutting back on your shower or hot-tub times. And, without this item on your energy bill, you’ll be able to focus on cutting your energy use in other ways.

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Of course, this would never happen. It costs money to produce energy in the traditional ways, and power companies have to balance out their overhead somehow. So we can’t blame them too much for charging us.

Even so, there is a free source of energy available to everyone. And it’s currently putting fear into the hearts of power company bigwigs all over the world, which is cause for celebration. Yup, you guessed it: I’m talking about the kind, endlessly giving, benevolent sun.

A Free Source of Energy

Cheapness is just one of many solar energy advantages, but it’s obviously a big one. Many people are understandably skeptical about residential solar energy, but that’s just because the idea seems too good to be true: All you have to do is pay to install a system, and you’ll achieve big energy savings for years to come. How can this be?

In this country, we’re used to paying for everything, so it takes us a while to process things like this. I understand. If you need to take a little while, go right ahead. But it’s time for all of us to get used to this whole residential solar energy thing. It’s here to stay, and it’s going to benefit us all.

solar energy facts and Information

A few solar energy facts: Germany is still the biggest per capita solar energy market in the world, with countries like Japan, Italy, Spain, Australia, the Netherlands, and France following close behind. The U.S. is an increasing market, especially in sunny western states like California, but we still have a long way to go to catch up with the rest of the world.

Currently, solar energy accounts for around 1% of our overall global energy production, but this number is perpetually on the rise. Taken as a whole, the green energy movement, which also includes wind and hydrothermal energy, will soon make up for one tenth of the world’s energy—which isn’t bad when you look at where we were just a few years ago.

Solar Panel Information

Although there is some lofty technical stuff involved with solar energy, you’ll never have to worry about. All you need to know is the basics: Solar panels, usually made of silicon, gather energy from the sun and convert it directly into electricity that is usable in the home. That’s all there is to it.

If you’re interested in installing your own home solar power system, you can get started for as little as $500 for some basic components. These won’t take care of all your energy needs—for that you’ll need a complete system with professional installation—but with DIY solar power kits you can take some of the financial burden off your family while also doing the right thing for the planet.

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First things first: What’s photovoltaic solar power? “Photovoltaic” in common language translates into “light energy”—or, in other words, electricity made from light. But wait, you already knew that, didn’t you? See, this stuff isn’t scary at all.

The Solar Energy Revolution

All of the solar energy facts you’ve heard are true—at least all of the good ones. When you use solar power, electricity becomes much cheaper. With some of the more advanced systems, all of your household electricity use could even be free. I bet you never imagined that happening any time soon. But thanks to technology, free energy is in our grasp.

Yes, this fact is self-evident, but it has to be said: Solar energy is better for the environment. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, people have always dreamt of finding a free, unlimited power source that never breaks down. And more recently, we’ve dreamt of finding such a power source that is not only cheap and reliable, but also sustainable.

And just like magic, here’s the sun, just sitting out there in space, practically begging to take care of all of our energy needs. In fact, when you get down to it, the sun IS free energy. It powers our very existence—not to mention the fact that it warms us and makes our crops grow. When you think about it, it was only a matter of time until we figured out how to use it for all of our other energy needs. And here we are, in the amazing 21st century. Free, reliable, environmentally sustainable power is ours.

Practical Concerns of Residential Solar Energy

Installing photovoltaic solar power in your home is quite simple. Even if you’re no energy expert, there are diy solar power kits for relatively cheap. They won’t take care of all your energy needs, but they will help take the financial load off your family. Simple systems cost anywhere between $500 and $2000, and they can be installed over the course of a weekend.

Plus, there are residential solar energy systems that can be targeted to very specific areas of your energy use. For example, you can get a diy solar system that focuses primarily on your hot water heating, which can save you around 50% on your energy bill. There are also diy solar pool heating systems, as well as diy solar power kits that you can install to power a recreational vehicle or a small outlying building on your property.

On the other hand, if price is no factor, why not call a professional and get the works? It will cost a chunk of change, but you’ll never have to worry about energy bills again, and the value of your home will go through the roof.

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These figures may not sound like much, but when you read between the lines, what we’re looking at is a genuine green energy revolution. As any scientist will tell you, we’re currently pumping way too many greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and this has to change. Fortunately, millions of people all over the world are rising to the challenge and making the change even where governments can’t.

Of course, on a person to person level, most of us do care about saving the environment, but there are other solar energy advantages. The solar power cost is cheaper than other types of energy, and it also just feels good to be self-reliant with our energy needs.

Solar Power History

Although we tend to forget this basic fact about existence on Earth, the sun is what powers everything. It makes life possible; it feeds our weather patterns; it helps our crops grow; it redistributes water to feed our rivers. All in all, the sun has been doing its work for billions of years, and the Earth has been reaping the benefits.

But it wasn’t until the Ancient Greeks that people first started consciously harnessing the sun for heat and light in private homes. The Greeks invented architectural techniques specifically designed to capture the sun and reduce the need for fuel burning. It may not be the same as our modern solar power systems, but it’s a start.

Solar Power Advantages

The advantages of using solar power electricity fall into two categories: financial and social. The financial reasons are obvious. When you have solar energy at home, you pay less to the energy companies. Over years, this can save you thousands of dollars. In the big picture, with millions of people across the country switching to solar power, all of these savings can translate into a big boost for the economy.

As for the social benefits, you’re probably already familiar with some of these. Using sustainable energy helps make it possible for our children’s children to inherit a healthy, stable planet. This may not mean much to us today, but there’s no denying that it’s the right thing to do.

Plus, when you make your household self-sufficient, you decrease our need for foreign sources of energy, which is definitely a good thing.

Solar Power Cost

The cost of solar power depends upon your needs. If you want to have a deluxe state-of-the-art system that takes care of all your energy needs, you’ll probably have to invest $5,000 or more in parts, plus another large chunk for installation. On the other hand, if you have a small home, or if you just want to invest in something simple like a solar water heating system, you can get away with spending less than $1000.

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