| It's time to build and install your own residential solar | | | | Kit built solar panels will often cost you less than $200. |
| power system. You know it will take some effort to | | | | The other option is to purchase used equipment. The |
| do, but you also know that the savings on your electric | | | | prices can vary from free, to just a few dollars |
| bill can be astounding. | | | | depending on your skill in finding and purchasing panels. |
| But your savings will be astounding only if you are able | | | | There are several places you can look to find used |
| to get the needed panels and other equipment for a | | | | panels. |
| good price. For some reason solar panels purchased | | | | One of the obvious places is the internet. Do a Google |
| at retail remain expensive. Residential solar power | | | | search. That's easy enough. |
| systems installed by the big companies can cost you | | | | The other is to look on eBay. Also easy. |
| upwards of $20,000. Obviously, at that price it can | | | | The third possibility is to check with your state or local |
| take years and years to benefit. | | | | highway departments. It turns out that highway |
| So what are the alternatives to purchasing solar | | | | departments are relatively big users of solar panels to |
| panels retail? | | | | provide power along side highways. |
| You have two choices. You can look for used solar | | | | The problem with purchasing used panels is that you |
| panels or you can make them yourself. | | | | want to be able to test them before you buy them. |
| The good news is that homemade solar panels can | | | | That makes the internet and eBay somewhat less |
| save you money. They are easy to assemble and | | | | attractive, but if you make the right deal with the seller, |
| install, and the entire job can be done on a single | | | | it can be done. |
| weekend. All they require is some assembly. | | | | |