DIY Solar Power - Surprising Cost Savings!

You might not know the facts and figures of solarschemes, such as wind turbines or wave power
power (and we can give you a few of them), butsystems. But there is some help for the local small
more importantly, the costs are surprising. If you'rescale initiatives.
looking for cheap home solar power, here's how toIn the UK and in certain states in the US, there are
make sure your surprise is not a nasty one, but a niceincentive schemes to encourage people to invest in
one!solar energy, and install home solar panels. these can
Typical Usagehelp to reduce the cost.
What is the average power consumption of typicalHowever even with a home renewable energy grant
house? Well, it varies significantly depending on theof USD 4000 or GBP 2500, this will still leave you to
location, size and design of the property.find about 80% of the bill! So this is still a major
However, if we take the US as a whole, the averageinvestment, not really cheap home solar power!
is 8900 kWh per year (roughly 24 kWh per day). In theDIY Alternative!
UK the average is somewhat less, at around 3500Well, it is not all bad news! Let's put aside the
kWh power consumption per year (or just under 10commercial prices on professional installation and ask:
kWh per day).how much does it actually cost to build a solar power
Each square metre of the Earth receives about 250panel?
Watts of solar energy. This is equivalent to 2190 kWhThe truth is, if you do it yourself, each panel could cost
of energy per year (or 6 kWh per square metre peryou less than USD 150 or GBP 100 (very nice!). OK,
day), though of course this also varies by location.you need a few more inexpensive components to
Nonetheless, if we could harness a few squarecomplete the system (a dc-ac converter and a
metres of this energy it will give us enough to meetbattery), but you can build a system for a mere
our needs.fraction of the cost of the commercial price.
If you're looking for cheap home solar power, this allMany people think that because it looks expensive and
comes for free! But there's an investment cost forhigh-tech, it must be costly and difficult to make. Not at
turning the sun's rays into a usable electric current.all! If you have a few basic DIY skills, then cheap home
Let's consider the figures.solar power is easily within reach. All the materials are
Commercial Costinexpensive, and the few tools you need are readily at
Let's aim for an achievable 2.5 kW system whichhand.
would go a long way to offsetting this energyYou can build solar panels that are as effective and
consumption.efficient as any commercially bought ones. They are
However, a typical commercially sold, professionallyjust as safe, just as easy to maintain, and at a fraction
installation solar energy systems would cost you theof the cost. And what's more, you can start simply and
best part of USD 15,000 to 20,000, or GBP 10,000 toadd extra panels whenever you have the time and
15,000 (very nasty!). This would be needed as aninclination.
up-front investment.I'd recommend you get yourself an easy guide that
Yes, the system will eventually pay for itself, if you canshows you step by step that shows you what to do.
wait about 10 to 15 years! For most people this is anThere are some very good ones available.
exorbitant capital investment that will not yield a viableValue Added
return in a reasonable time. Hence they won't buy it!Once you've installed your first DIY solar power
If we want cheap home solar power, we will have topanels, you'll not only get cheap home solar power, but
look for an alternative.you'll find an added benefit too. Energy efficiency
Government Grantincreases the value of your home. So you could find
Many governments are experiencing the rising costsyour property value rises by 10 to 15%. Hence this is
of fossil fuels, plus seeing the effects of climatean extra return on your investment!
change. They are increasingly keen to promoteMaybe that's an added incentive to begin now!
renewable energy sources. These may be large