| Homeowners are increasingly turning to homemade | | | | great lengths to make the building and installation |
| solar installations to save on ever higher energy costs. | | | | process accessible even to those who are not |
| These affordable solar power systems are capable | | | | accustomed to tinkering on their home. |
| of saving thousands of dollars in installation and energy | | | | While there is an abundance of free information on the |
| expenses. Some homeowners are even going | | | | internet, the instruction quality of these free plans tend |
| completely off the grid, drawing no power from electric | | | | to lack clarity and can make the process more |
| utilities. | | | | confusing. But with paid professional guides, there are |
| Advocates for the do-it-yourself solar movement claim | | | | also numerous instructional videos available for those |
| that basic homemade solar installations can cost as | | | | who learn best from visual instruction. Many people |
| little as $200 - a far cry from the average installation | | | | agree that the affordable DIY guide books are the |
| cost of $30,000 for a standard, professionally installed, | | | | best for high-quality informational material that can be |
| solar array. And it is a relatively simple process | | | | used for a lifetime of home improvement. |
| requiring little more than glass, plywood, and a few | | | | While most basic solar installations are designed to |
| other parts and tools found at any local hardware | | | | power a few simple home appliances, it is easy to see |
| store. | | | | how many homeowners would want to scale up |
| The only seemingly technical component is the | | | | these inexpensive panels in an effort to go completely |
| photovoltaic cells, which are easy to source and install | | | | off the power grid. |
| with the assistance of a good quality do-it-yourself or | | | | With potential savings of tens of thousands of dollars |
| DIY guide book. These guidebooks sell for an average | | | | in installation costs and continued savings in reduced |
| of $50 and contain useful information for the | | | | energy bills, it's easy to see why these affordable solar |
| successful installation of your own set of affordable | | | | power systems are becomingly increasingly popular. |
| solar power systems. These popular guidebooks go to | | | | |