Build Own Solar Panel

Hi every1.

I wanted to ask, especially for those of you who have solar panels installed on your home, roughly how much energy do you actually get out of those? Is it enough to power your whole house? If not, how much of a saving (in the long term) are you actually looking at by implementing solar panels?

Thanks heaps.

How much energy any array puts out per year depends on the size of that array, its location, and how well the install was done.

Our array is about 3 kW, and produces about 6000 kWh per year. This is roughly equal to our annual consumption of electricity. But we’re in a nearly ideal area.

The current trends in the minds of those willing to invest in new construction, as well as in the promises of the new incoming presidential administration, is a focus on renewable sources of energy and the preserving of the planet. This trend has the potential to save this country’s economy through the implementation of new infrastructure to support the shift to “going green”. The home contractor can dramatically benefit from this by adjusting his materials and construction practices to accommodate the clients who want to be ecologically responsible in their choices of contractors.

LEED Certification of Products and Services

LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system is a third-party program which certifies the design, construction tools and practices and operations for what are nationally accepted as green buildings. Having a LEED certification will put your company on the organization website’s list of exceptional contractors in the advancement of environmentally conscious design, and will provide your company with added exposure to an up-and-coming market sector.

Recycled Products Renewed Ideas

By using recycled or reclaimed products in constructions and implementing the use of fuel efficient heating and cooling systems, including the implementation of alternate energy sources such as solar panels and geothermal heating, the home contractor can both increase his business and have the satisfaction of knowing that his business is helping to sustain and renew our depleted natural resources.

Government Backing

It seems that the new administration is very serious about providing funding for new infrastructure required to implement green energy programs. If programs progress as Washington is currently promising, the home contractor is who not using green products and providing green energy solutions in his constructions will go the way of the dinosaurs. The resources seem to be there, the public is ready for the change, it is up to the construction industry to provide the tools we need to keep the green movement going forward.

Helena Topolova
http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/home-contractor-improve-your-business-by-going-green-724179.html

A “green” home is a home that is highly energy efficient, has excellent indoor environment, and is built to exceed local building code. Considering this, doesn’t this mean that a green home costs more to build than a person could save on energy costs? Absolutely not! A green home is affordable to build and can save a homeowner thousands in energy costs annually. And there are thousands in tax incentives to take advantage of.

First, planned right and built well, a green home can be built for no more than regular construction, and has greater market value when it is completed. It is important to have a builder that has built green homes before, not just one that has added green features onto existing construction. The latter has no experience with the type of building techniques that lower building costs. An experienced green home builder will know that getting LEED’s engineers involved in the process and restructuring the process of building to reduce waste and energy are key to starting the project off right. In addition, an experienced green home builder will be able to make valuable suggestions to the potential homeowner about trade-offs in costs and energy efficiency and apply his practical experience to estimates of energy savings.

Energy efficiency savings can be substantial. Using the weather and energy costs in Illinois as an example, and comparing an affordable green home to conventional home with forced air heating and central air-conditioning, a green home can save you around 75% on electricity, by using a combination of solar panels, landscaping, and Energy Star rated appliances and water heater and substituting central air with geothermal applications, over 90% on natural gas by using alternative heating methods, and 60% on water/sewer by implementing grey water recapture. Typical annual bills of nearly $3,000 per year could be lowered to $700 or less - a savings of $2,100 per year. Of course, these figures are for illustrative purposes only. Your actual savings depends on your electricity usage, the size of the home, the number of people you have living in your home, the number of solar panels you use, and the precise options you select for your green home.

And green homes look like regular homes inside and out, are maintenance friendly, and fun to own.

With tax incentives in the thousands, energy savings worth thousands, and greater market value, building and living in a green home is an affordable option for everyone.

Kimberley Ward

I want for my new house to be self-reliable on electricity. I’m not sure if solar panels would be enough because where I am we have full winter time.

Hey No Name, you’ve got some good responses here, but to address the core of your question, we have been running our home on wind and solar for 11 years now. We’ve made some changes over the years, had a few setbacks and malfunctions, but overall we are very happy with it. If you live in a place with full winter, your climate is probably like ours. Where we live, our solar resources are exceptional in the summer with long sunny days, but dismal in the winter. Wind however is just the opposite, great in fall and winter, limited in summer. This is why most renewable homes use both solar and wind, the two compliment each other so well. There are other considerations though. In 11 years I’ve not put a drop of oil into or turned a screw on any of my panels, they still put out the same power today they did 11 years ago. The wind turbine however is another story. We’re actually on our third unit, and for 7 years it has worked pretty well. Turbines are like cars. If you don’t maintain them, they break down. If you do maintain them, they break down later. They make noise, and can be a sight to behold or an eyesore to weather, depending on your point of view. Probably a good reason to check with your neighbors ahead of time. Another misnomer about solar is it needs heat to work. Actually, it is just the opposite, solar panels put out more power the colder it is, you can check with the manufacturers on that.

We spent $13,000 on our original equipment, then received around $3,700 in grants and tax incentives. Our electric bills today come in around $6 per month, as opposed to the 30 or 40 dollars they used to be. Are we money ahead? Probably not, but this does not address the fact that our home has not been without electricity for even a minute the last 11 years, difficult to put a price tag on that. But even if our energy costs more this way, we’re okay with it. Lots of people grow tomatoes, even though it’s cheaper to buy them in the store. They hunch over in the garden picking worms off the plants, weeding, and fussing for weeks. Why? It’s a hobby, they taste better, they are organic, and so on. We just grow electrons in our garden, so when I do a load of laundry, I’m not adding CO2 to the air and mercury to the lake. Does it save me any money? No, but it’s still worth it to us.

Your question is pretty broad based, and it will be difficult to get a complete answer here. What I would suggest is you do some more research, and try to make it to one of the many energy fairs that are hosted all over the country. We did 12 years ago, and it got us to where we are today. There are some great non profit groups advocating and researching in this area, I’ll list some below. I would also recommend subscribing to Home Power Magazine, it’s inexpensive and gets right to the heart of what you are trying to find out. Each issue has articles on people like us, what they have done and how it has worked out. Our home was even featured about 9 years ago. They also keep a calender of all the energy fairs. Do some more research, keep asking questions, and get to a fair, you’ll be an expert in no time. Take care Noname, Rudydoo

As more and more buyers are wanting energy-efficient and green homes, builders and sellers are trying to meet this growing demand.  In the past few months, the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) has incorporated a green features section on every MLS report where builders and sellers can list whether the home has Energy Star appliances, solar panels, bamboo floors, and rain collection systems already in place.

If you’re looking to buy an environmentally friendly home, the drawback is that most of the homes you’ll find are new construction.  This is great if you’re wanting a newer home anyway, but a lot of green buyers don’t want new construction because of the trees that are cut down and the idea that there are already enough homes on the market right now without having to build more!

The best advice for these buyers looking for older homes is to search the MLS using the new green features option.  Find a home that already has some of the features you want, and then use the money you’ll save by buying now to go towards other features that you add in either now or along and along.  Earth friendly materials are starting to make their way into mainstream stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot.  So, it’s becoming much easier to find these materials.  Sure, you won’t find items such as reclaimed wood in a Lowe’s, but you will in specialty stores around the area.  So, why not take a home you love and make it as green as you want it to be?

For newer homes in Charleston that are geared to be energy-efficient, you’ll find a few neighborhoods to choose from.  All of the homes in Summertrees were built to EarthCraft standards.  This neighborhood is on Johns Island, and the builder was Brentwood Homes.  EarthCraft is a program with guidelines ensuring that homes reduce energy by using tighter building construction, air sealing, controlled ventilation, as well as more efficient duct work, HVACs, and vents.  Water usage is also reduced, which cuts down on utility bills.  Last, the interior and exterior paint is low VOC.  These homes are also supposed to have better indoor air quality for an overall healthier lifestyle for the owners. 

Another builder, David Weekley Homes, is also starting to build green homes.  This builder uses a different program called Environments for Living, which is a national program with three levels of green-ness.  David Weekley’s new homes are classified in the highest level of requirements, which is the Diamond level.  These homes are fifty percent more energy efficient than comparable homes built to the standard codes in 2004.  And, for a better comparison, we’ll compare these homes with the Energy Star standards, which people are more familiar with.  Energy Star requirements are only fifteen percent better than the standard 2004 building codes.  So, these David Weekley homes are significantly better than Energy Star.  Buyers are also guaranteed that their new home will not use more than a certain amount of energy from heating and air conditioning.  If the buyer finds that the home exceeds this amount, he or she will be reimbursed the difference in cost.  Of course, this reimbursement does not account for the energy wasted during that time, but at least builders are trying to hold their homes accountable for energy standards.  And, this is a step in the right direction, I think.

For more information about these builders, check out their websites.  And, if you want to buy a pre-owned home and green it up yourself, check out the MLS with the new search feature!

Lee Keadle

Las Casas Verdes “Will be the first Eco-Responsible Solar neighborhood in Texas and the South.”

“Twenty single family homes will incorporate, as standard features, the latest in solar, wind and water energy systems to move toward zero energy usage. All homes are architecturally designed and will meet the strict standards of the Austin Green Building Program”. (as quoted from LasCasasVerdes.com)

This is positive news for Austin. Many developers claim green home construction by adding some extra insulation to the attic or maybe including a high efficiency furnace and a programmable thermostat. The Las Casas Verdes development is walking their talk by creating environmentally friendly, energy saving homes right from the drawing board to completion.

If the developers are able to successfully achieve their goals and simultaneously make a profit, this could lead to a green building revolution in the Texas market. Hopefully we’ll see other builders jumping on the bandwagon marketing similar subdivisions.

Las Casas Verdes was the creation of architect, developer, David E. Martin. He was first inspired by the common sense, conservation oriented idea of green building during the Arab oil embargo of the 70’s. In 2007, he formed Martin - Ayers Development, a company that promotes Solar Eco-Responsible living in Texas. His background in green building, and his ability to design homes that are not only energy efficient, but attractive, make him an ideal fit for Las Casas Verdes.

The Las Casas Verdes 3 acre subdivision plan includes shady, tree-lined roads, a park, a substantial common garden area and hiking-biking trails. The location is walking distance from major shopping areas, located on mass transit routes and included in one of the most highly rated senior high school districts in the area.

The Homes:

The custom designed, 1,800 square foot homes will all be unique in some ways, but will all share certain architectural styles. Each home will have an office, media room, alcove and large outdoor decks.

Standard Energy Efficient Features:

- 3KW Solar Photovoltaic System for generating electricity and Solar Thermal panels for hot water with a gas powered tankless water heater as back-up.
- Rainwater Collection System to store water for toilets, laundry and plant irrigation.
- SEER rated heating and cooling system.
- Homes will be constructed with prefabricated structural insulated panels in the walls and roof. They offer higher insulation values, tighter seals and less waste.
- Heat recirculation HVAC ducts to reuse pre-heated air in the winter.
- Low VOC paints, reflected metal roofs and recycled/green building materials.
- Automatic light switches will be used wherever possible.

Lesa Parham

http://cgi.ebay.com/SOLAR-PANEL-120-WATT-120W-12-VOLT-PV-Solar-Module-/310306871619?_trksid=p5197.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DRPSI%252BSIC%26itu%3DUCP%252BUA%252BMAGEXP%252BUCI%252BIA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D270733194145%26po%3DLPV%252BLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8497966210962221812

thats an example of a Solar Panel… say I were to buy.. 3 of them, which would be a little over $1k. How much power would that generate through my home? Enough to power a TV? A microwave? Maybe the kitchen lights?

And how long would that take for it to pay for myself and start saving me money.

A friend lives on an island where they pay 50c/kWh for electricity. Solar panels are very cost effective for him. Another friend lives in WA state where her power is 5c/kWh. Not such a good deal there unless the grid fails and she really needed electricity enough to buy backup batteries. I live over a mile from the nearest power line- it would cost me hundreds of thousands to run a line to my house so solar is not just an option but a necessity for me.

Earth 4 Energy allows homeowners to take the first step in breaking free of dependence on overpriced natural gas and electricity. The eBook comes in a step-by-step, easy to read guide so that even the most novice homeowners will have no trouble in their energy generation efforts. We all should be using the earth as our energy source because it is one of the best ways to save on energy. Unfortunately, most of us are unaware of the potential that our earth holds. This is sad because it is now easy to take advantage of the earth for its power.

Earth 4 Energy not only shows you how to harness the power of solar energy, it also instructs homeowners on how to harness other renewable energies. One important fact to note is that Earth 4 Energy is only available online through a pdf format; you cannot go to your local brick and mortar bookstore to purchase this guide.

Within a few hours, any home in the world can begin to run on free solar power. The guide shows through simple English (no technical jargon) and descriptive diagrams on how to harness the power of the sun using materials from your local hardware store. The creator of the guide has created countless solar panels for under $200 a piece. Using the power he has saved on his home’s electricity and heating bills, the panels have already paid for themselves within a few short months of use.

Depending on how ambitious of an energy saver you are, it is possible to have virtually all your home’s power generated from just the solar panels you learned about in Earth 4 Energy. You can also take these portable panels with you on camping trips so that you and your family can enjoy the basic amenities made available by electricity. In case of an emergency, the electricity provided by the panels can be used to power cell phones and radios.

Not only does Swerd, the creator of Earth 4 Energy, show how you can benefit from the power of the sun, he also allows energy connoisseurs to exploit wind power. Much like that of the solar panels, homemade windmills can be made from basic hardware store products. However, unlike solar panels, these windmills can be created for less than a measly $100 using Swerd’s construction methods. With your home running on both solar and wind power, your energy independence and monetary savings will being to skyrocket. You will no longer go to sleep worrying how expensive the price of natural gas or electricity will be in just a few short months.

This do it yourself green energy guide shows every step of the process of making renewable power sources and it puts it into one booklet. You can be sure that the process of using the earth for power will be both quick and easy. In not more than two days time you can be saving money from creating your own source of wind or solar power. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to our earth as a energy source.

Claim your energy independence and refuse to consume overpriced gas and electricity from today’s conglomerates. Allow Earth 4 Energy to assist you in breaking away from the stranglehold that the world’s governments and economies have put on the price of this modern necessity.

Rick Williamson

Solar energy is a viable source to fulfill your energy requirements. No other source can be such a pure, cheap and convenient alternative source of energy as solar panels are. If you have decided to install a solar panel at home, office or any other place, you need to engage the most competent person who can help you to enjoy a better life.

Any solar installers that you are thinking to engage for your solar installation should at least have desired professional credentials. However, an installer must have qualities on personal level to help him/her to perform the task in the most desired manner. Professionally, an installer should have an impressive background that assures his/her skills and knowledge. In many parts, installers need to have licenses for practicing as professional installers. People with construction and electrical experience can work as solar installers.

Choose an installer who just not holds experience in installing solar modules, but supports the concept of solar, the efficient production of electricity for the property owner that leads to the protection of our environment. Look for a trained installer who can take care of every aspect of solar panel installation and help you to get unperturbed energy flow in the long run.

Gather Relevant Information:

Solar panel installation requires training and exact knowledge of the process. A person looking for solar installer should do a bit of market research before buying solar equipments. Open you computer and search online to explore websites that exclusive deal in solar equipments. Contact them and ask questions relevant to your investment. In addition, you can enquire about installation cost, rebates and other important information to get an overview. Many solar websites provide information about skilled solar installers who can help you to install the equipment at home. Discuss your requirements in detail and enjoy the improved service.

Roberto Luongo

My husband and I are about to make an investment to make our own solar panels for our home. He is the mechanical end in terms of sealing and mounting the panels and I am the technical side. My question is this.. have any of you bought the cells themselves in bulk form and soldered them yourself? What company is a good one (price-wise/ease of assembly/high quality) to purchase the cells from? I have found quite a few online companies to purchase from and am curious as to what kind of results you had before I make this choice.

I have a strong background in electronics and have a good understanding of how it all works in terms of converting your home so technical jargon is OK in your explanation. Please be specific!

The Earth4Energy kit suggests one of those popular alternative energy devices that prove to drop home energy costs by 50-80%. The kit also shares information on where to purchase free batteries required for your project. These batteries store the alternative energy making it a portable energy resource. You can take them anywhere, for any use!