| There is so much talk of green and clean energy | | | | to the system will keep the batteries charged, save |
| these days, most people have at least thought about | | | | the expense of charging those batteries, and allow you |
| how they can use solar in their lives. The problem is | | | | stay out longer and go farther. |
| that with a tough economy and bleak jobs market, | | | | In most cases the panels will allow you get rid of the |
| most people just don't have the money to invest in | | | | generator or shore power you relied on before. For |
| solar. Here are 5 cheap and easy ways to start using | | | | folks in southern climates that use golf carts in lieu of |
| solar power that won't break the bank. | | | | traditional vehicles, a 200W solar golf cart kit means |
| 1. Affordable Grid Tie Kits Are Here For The Handy | | | | you can say goodbye to the power cord and hello to |
| Homeowner | | | | lower energy bills. Starter kits can be as little as $100, |
| Thanks to rapid advancements in inverter technology, | | | | the larger units are over $1000. |
| you can install a solar grid tie kit on your home for far | | | | 4. Take Your Stuff 'Off the Grid' |
| less then ever before. It used to cost at least $10,000 | | | | It was not that long ago and that the components in |
| to install a small system on a home. But using | | | | solar power systems were so complicated that using |
| micro-inverters and 200W panels, homeowners can | | | | an electrician to install them was a must. That is not |
| install a single panel and inverter for about $1000 and | | | | the case these days (and thank goodness for that!). |
| start to reap the benefits of free energy from the sun. | | | | Simple 'plug and play' solar power kits now allow you |
| Many homeowners are adding panels on a regular | | | | to gather, store, and use the sun's energy easily. They |
| basis, on Earth Day, or as their budget allows. The | | | | work much the way a computer does, you simply plug |
| new technology allows you to add on to your system | | | | the panel into the control box (like you would a |
| as you wish, without spending a fortune. You could | | | | computer monitor), and then plug the control box into a |
| start with a 230W system, add a panel every 3 | | | | battery (like you would plug the computer into the wall). |
| months or as your finances allow, and have a 4000W | | | | Then, start plugging your stuff into the control box. |
| system that covered your entire power bill in a few | | | | This is a great system for remote cabins, work sheds, |
| years. | | | | or garages. Often people that live in hurricane country |
| 2. Solar Leasing Programs Often Cost You NOTHING | | | | keep them for backup power when the inevitable |
| Now that solar has gone mainstream and is a viable | | | | outage comes. They're great for campers and |
| investment, companies like SunRun have leasing | | | | travellers too that have added laptops, iPhones and |
| programs to help homeowners get started in | | | | stereos to their 'can't live without' list when they're in |
| renewable energy. Here's how it works: | | | | the back country. These kits can be had for as little as |
| A local installer works with a solar financing company | | | | $300 and can be expanded for your future needs. |
| like SunRun to evaluate the suitability of your home for | | | | 5. Make Your Space Brighter and More Comfortable |
| solar. If your situation is right, the financing company will | | | | With the Power of the Sun |
| pay the installer to put the panels on your home, | | | | Unfortunately solar lighting has gotten a bad rap by the |
| usually at zero cost to you. The financing company | | | | proliferation of those poorly made solar garden lights. |
| owns and maintains the panels, and receives any | | | | There are, believe it or not, great solar lights out there |
| rebates associated with the installation. You get | | | | that are high quality and look terrific. Many communities |
| charged a fixed, discounted rate for your electricity for | | | | are doing away with the gas lamps that appear on |
| the life of the lease, usually 20-25 years. You save | | | | every front lawn because they are expensive to run |
| money in the short term in the discounted and fixed | | | | and maintain. A nice solar lamp post light can replace |
| rate, plus you won't experience the sharp rate | | | | the gas lamp, spruce up your yard, and cost less than |
| increases that are inevitable as carbon taxes and | | | | $200 in most cases. |
| renewable subsidies become more prevalent. You can | | | | There are also tons of affordable options for heating |
| choose to purchase the system from the financing | | | | and cooling your home with solar. Solar air heaters |
| company and reduce your energy bills to nearly zero. | | | | have recently become more popular, and they have |
| Best of all, you get the satisfaction of knowing that | | | | the added benefit of using recycled cans in many |
| you are saving money AND helping the environment at | | | | cases. There are even solar air conditioners now, too. |
| the same time! | | | | These use the sun to heat the medium in the cooling |
| 3. Simple RV, Boat & Golf Cart Systems Keep You | | | | process, whereas traditional AC's use electricity. |
| Charged Up | | | | These new solar AC's are about 50% more efficient |
| Many people forget that they are various uses for | | | | than their traditional counterparts. |
| solar panels. Boats, RVs and even golf carts are great | | | | So solar doesn't have to be out of reach for |
| uses for solar. Solar panels generate direct current, or | | | | everyone. With a wide variety of applications and |
| DC power, which is what most boats and RV's need | | | | prices, solar power can help you save money and the |
| anyway. Adding a simple panel and charge controller | | | | planet. |