Solar Power Your Home For Dummies

Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you’re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you! This friendly, hands-on guide is packed with tips for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power—and helping the planet at the same time. You’ll see how to survey your home to determine your current household energy efficiency and use, and evaluate where solar power would best benefit you. You’ll also calculate what the return on your investment will be before you make any decisions. Once you’ve decided on a project, you’ll see whether it’s best to hire a contractor or do it yourself. We leave no stone unturned—you’ll also discover how to: Choose and install your best solar system Handle small to large solar projects Heat and cool your house with solar energy Install exterior solar lighting Handle swimming pool, water heater, or ventilation solar projects Create greenhouses or solar rooms Build, buy, or sell a solar home Finance your solar investments Take advantage of tax rebates and incentives associated with solar power Avoid the worst solar mistakes Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest do-it-yourself solar projects, Solar Power For Dummies is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

The bestselling alternative energy reference book in North America—now in an updated edition Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you’re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you! This new edition gives you hands-on tips and techniques for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power—and helping the planet at the same time. Plus, you’ll get all the latest information on changes to federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and tax incentives that seek to make solar-power adoption more feasible. Expanded coverage of the technology that underpins full-scale solar-power systems for the home New small- and mid-sized solar products, projects, and applications Rik DeGunther is a design engineer who started his own energy consulting firm Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest DIY solar projects, Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

The myths and facts about alternative fuels–and how they impact our lives As the price of energy continues to soar, so too has the demand for alternative energy. But there's no clear "winner" in the race to replace fossil fuels. Alternative Energy For Dummies explores the current fossil fuel conundrum and society's growing need for more and more energy. Cutting through the competing claims, this book offers a multifaceted examination of alternative energy, including solar, wind, nuclear, biomass, geothermal, biofuel, and other sources. Each alternative scenario is compared to current fossil-fuel intensive practices in the scientific, environmental, social, political, and economic realms. Readers also gain insight into the future of energy production.

Labor-related costs account for a large portion of the cost for an average home solar installation. With this beginner-friendly guide, you can save hundreds of dollars setting up your solar system at home. Even if you don't know anything about electricity, you will able to set up your custom solar system without a headache. In case you plan to hire a solar professional to do the work for you this book will empower you to ask the right questions and avoid unnecessary costs. Solar Power Engineers and Consultants Paul Holmes and Shalve Mohile, will guide you through the process of how to install a solar system with illustrated step-by-step instructions. This comprehensive manual covers everything you need to know to assemble your rooftop solar panels - From determining the right size for your solar system, and mounting the racking to setting up the electrical connections and maintaining the system, this book will guide you through all the steps necessary to start and complete your project. Much of the information available online is hard to understand and is bogged down with too many technical details. This DIY guide takes a different approach and focuses on the essentials, using vivid examples and an easy-to-understand language that even a total beginner will enjoy reading. In detail you will discover: The mechanics of solar systems and how to apply it to power your home Beginner-friendly methods for calculating your energy needs Step-by-step instructions on sizing your solar system A buying guide to purchase your solar equipment (solar panels, inverters, racking) Methods for optimal roof sizing and panel orientation Ways to install the racking and connect the solar panels to your racking equipment Detailed instructions on how to install a solar inverter and setting up electrical connections Ways to prevent short circuits and fire hazards Tips and tricks that will save you time and money Equipped with this blueprint for designing your rooftop solar system, living a self-sufficient life has never been easier. Take the first step into your solar adventure. To get started, scroll up and grab your copy today!

Labor and related costs account for more than half of the price of the average home solar installation. But homeowners can save thousands of dollars with this user-friendly manual, which follows the same process professional contractors use. Through detailed directions and step-by-step photos, veteran solar installer Joseph Burdick and seasoned builder Philip Schmidt teach you how to determine the size, placement, and type of installation you’ll need. This comprehensive DIY guide covers everything from assembling rooftop racking or building a ground-mount structure to setting up the electrical connections and making a battery bank for off-grid systems.

Do you dream an eco-friendly home even if you are not expert in electrical systems? If you want to live off-grid you are in the right place. If what has always stopped you is the worry of initial investments, put these thoughts aside. With this pocket manual you will discover how to save thousands of dollars in the long run by having a smart home. Our planet is suffering, it will be explained why solar energy is the most beneficial and renewable energy source to get you excited about incorporating it into your life. Solar Power for Beginners is the complete guide that will allow you to achieve all this, from the necessary supplies to the connection of all the tools. The step-by-step solution illustrated and written in a simple and direct way to effectively help anyone who wants to approach this technique. In details you'll find: Why you should avoid other sources of energy in favor of solar power. Buying guide for the equipment (batteries, panels, inverter) and sizing requirements Longevity of materials and how to protect them The quick and safely technique to design, install and connect all the necessary tools Tips and tricks for the better set up Advantages and disadvantages of the best products available on the market What happens if you move taking the equipment with you? Specific environments that are most conducive to solar ... and much more! Even if you have failed until no trying with complex manuals and impractical instructions, this DIY book will finally allow you to hit the target without pain. Everyone can live greener, scroll to the top and get your copy right now.

Now more than ever, the question of economic and environmentally friendly energy sources has become a hot topic in almost every American home. With that in mind, more and more people are turning to alternatives such as solar power as a means of saving money and reducing their imprint on the environment. This nearly carbon neutral method comes with hefty tax rebates from the federal government and in states like California and New Jersey massive rebates from the state. More states are considering similar rebates and with a 3 to 8 year energy savings possible according to a recent report by the New York Times, it is an ideal solution for anyone looking to save money in the long term and help the planet immediately. This book will guide anyone interested in the process of installing and utilizing solar power for their home in the process of searching for, buying, or building their own solar power system. Learn how solar power and other alternative energy sources can help to save the world regardless of the cost and how you can start surveying your own energy use and efficiency. Learn how you can start making basic adjustments to become more efficient and how solar power can help you before you start any major projects. Learn what solar power requires, from cost and equipment to maintenance and preparation in certain times of the year. Learn how solar power works and how to start evaluating the potential of it for your building needs. Take the cost of installing solar power and learn how long it will take to make money back on your investment, including information on federal and state rebates that might affect you. Multiple individuals who have successfully installed solar power in their homes have been interviewed and their experiences included in this guide to help you learn what others go through and how they came out. Learn how the installation process works and how it can be done in your landscape, in small projects, for heating and purifying water, swimming pool heating, and other smaller projects. Learn about how individuals construct solar power systems on their own to save money and what is involved in a full PV system. Finally, learn how the market for green homes has made it possible to extract a huge return on investment from building or remodeling a home with solar power. For anyone who has ever considered solar power as a viable means to save money and the environment, this guide will help you get started right away.br> Atlantic Publishing is a small, independent publishing company based in Ocala, Florida. Founded over twenty years ago in the company presidentâe(tm)s garage, Atlantic Publishing has grown to become a renowned resource for non-fiction books. Today, over 450 titles are in print covering subjects such as small business, healthy living, management, finance, careers, and real estate. Atlantic Publishing prides itself on producing award winning, high-quality manuals that give readers up-to-date, pertinent information, real-world examples, and case studies with expert advice. Every book has resources, contact information, and web sites of the products or companies discussed.

Solar power (photovoltaics) is now a $1 billion industry, and it's poised to grow rapidly in the near future as more pressure is placed on limited fossil fuel resources and as advances in solar technology drive down the costs of residential solar systems. Twenty-six states now offer tax and utility credits to solar energy users, and the market for solar power products and services is expected to increase 25 to 40 percent each year over the next 20 years. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home, Second Edition, helps readers understand the basics of solar power and other renewable energy sources, explore whether solar power makes sense for them, what their options are, and what's involved with installing various on and off-grid systems.