Building solar panels is a relatively simple matter because solar cells are modular. They are also quite small. Solar cells that are used in residential solar panels is about twice the size of a bar coaster or about four times the size of a playing card. You can fit your hands around one quite easily.

You begin building solar panels by connecting these cells in series and then connecting panels to one another. Then all that is left is to connect the solar panel array to batteries and an inverter to power your house.

Solar cells or photovoltaic cells, as we’ll call them here, convert solar energy into electric energy. Now, you knew that but in order to understand the way building solar panels works, you need to know how the electricity is made.

Photons of light strike the semiconductor material on the cell’s surface, usually silicon, and in so doing knock an electron loose. There are two types of silicon used to make a cell. They are both mixed with other elements which change their polarity. One type is negatively charged because it is mixed with phosphorous and the other is positively charged because it is mixed with boron. By putting together layers of silicon with different electrical charges, the incoming photons have an easier time of loosening up an electron and sending it looking for place to go.

The cells are engineered so that the electrons can only go in one direction and that direction is ‘out.’ So, each cell is designed to add their exiting electrons to the flow of electrons and with enough cells and enough solar energy, you have an electrical current you can work with.

See, building solar panels is not difficult but it is precise. The channels that absorb the electrons in each cell are lined up with every other channel in their particular group by means of a connecting tab, solder and flux. Once the cells are connected, a surface layer of glass, plastic or laminate (or a some combination) is layed over the top to protect them, all the moisture is removed (to avoid condensation which would interfere with the panel’s efficiency) and the panels are placed into position and connected.

From there, it is a simple matter of hooking up the solar array to your house’s electrical condition. In my mind, it goes without saying that you should hire a professional to do this. If you insist on doing it yourself, I believe you still need a certified electrician to examine it to insure your work is up to code. In the event of an adverse electrical event (fire), you would want your house to be up to code and in keeping with the provisions of your home owner’s insurance policy. will answer an questions you might have on how to put together your own solar panels for home use.

Do Solar right. Get the information you need first before you make a costly mistake. Visit SolarPanelsForHomeUse.com to get the information you need.

To make a wind generator, and generate your own electricity, is easier than you might think. This is just as well, because electricity costs are not likely to come down any time soon. In addition to the cost savings, you may also want to “do your bit” for the environment. Wind power is one of the most renewable power sources known to man, so it really makes sense on all levels to get involved. You can BUY wind generators of course, but they are still relatively expensive. If you have some basic DIY skills, you can build one yourself. So what’s involved?

Making your wind turbine

This is probably the most difficult part of the process, because of the shaping of the turbine blades, and the cowl. Any mistakes here will lead to huge losses in efficiency, because your turbine will be working against the wind, rather than with it. In addition to this, any inefficiencies in the drive mechanism which transfers the energy from the blades to the dynamo will reduce the amount of electricity you make.

Building the tower

This is a less complex part of the process, but you have to remember that if the tower is not sturdy enough, then it will sway around in the wind, and of course, this is yet more wasted energy. You see, there’s a pattern forming here – it’s all about keeping all the wind energy, not letting it be wasted on unwanted movement, or badly constructed mechanics. Where you site your tower is also important, and it’s not necessarily at the highest point available.

Storing the power in batteries

The very nature of wind generated power is that it isn’t a constant supply. When there’s a lot of wind, you will need to store the electricity somewhere, and this is where a well-designed battery system is essential. Make sure you use the right batteries too. Car batteries are no good, because they are designed to provide a short burst of high power to start your engine. You should use Deep Cycle Batteries, which are designed to be run down slowly over a longer period of time.

Connecting to the main power supply

This is where safety is paramount! This isn’t the most difficult part of the process, but it’s the one where you really do need the specialist knowledge. A mistake here could be fatal. Also, check your local power company’s regulations about connecting into your home supply. you may need to get one of their engineers to do the work. Also, if you ever generate more electricity than you need, you may be able to sell it back to the power company, and have this taken off your bill when your demand is high.

If you’re serious about DIY Wind Power, then you need a comprehensive instruction manual. Find out how to build your own wind turbine for less than $200 here, Make A Wind Generator, where you will also find out how to install your own solar power system!

Alternative Home Energy

Having the right level of attic insulation in your house is definitely one of the most important considerations in keeping your energy costs low. Attic insulation protects from the cold in the winter, and also keeps the cool in during the hot summer months. What considerations factor in towards making your attic a well insulated place?

Examine first the type of attic insulation you have. Many older houses have what is referred to as batt insulation. That’s the kind that comes in large rolls, and is typically colored pink or yellow. The insulation is spread out in the attic, generally between the wooden beams. The other kind of insulation is called blow-in insulation. Blow-in insulation is typically installed by professional contractors, as they have the correct equipment to do the work. Small bits of insulation are mechanically wind blown into the attic, creating the blanket across the attic floor. You will generally find this kind of insulation in new houses.

There are of course good and bad with either batt insulation or blow-in insulation. Batt insulation, when installed properly provides an equal R-Factor through the attic. The R-factor is the measurement of the overall performance of the insulation, and is also called the thermal performance. It measures the resistance of the flow of heat. Batt attic insulation that is properly installed will give you a uniform R-Factor through the entire attic.

Alternatively, blow-in insulation is propelled into the attic with a machine. While it is very difficult to blow it in uniformly through the whole attic, the result is a variable R-factor in that space. As long as the installation is done thoroughly, and the necessary minimum number of inches sits on the flooring of the attic, the insulation will do the trick. This makes the issue of a non-uniform R-factor a non-factor overall.

The money involved with batt and blow-in insulation is of course another factor to consider. Usually batt insulation costs less to buy, but your time is something to consider as well. Lots of time is needed to correctly add insulation, or replace the existing insulation.

When adding attic insulation, you of course have to have the right equipment, including proper clothes, lots of time, and plenty of patience. Alternatively, you can always contract the job out for a little more money, and have a blow-in insulation job completed in just a few hours without as much trouble.

Jeff Buckley advises consumers on how to save on their energy bills by using attic insulation including blow in insulation.

This article explores the four big solar myths. These are common misconception about how solar energy works and what you need for solar energy to work for you. Once you know these myths, you can get a much better idea of whether solar energy will work for you.

#1. You need a hot climate for solar energy to work.

Actually, you need sunlight for solar panels to work.

Photovoltaic (solar electric) panels actually work slightly less efficiently in hot weather. They like being cold.

So while hot weather can be helpful for your solar hot water, for electricity from the sun, cold weather is
fine.

Proof: Germany is one of the top installers of solar energy. They have less sunlight than most of northern America.

Japan is also a major installer of solar panels, and their climate is temperate.

#2. Solar Panels are Expensive.

Let’s compare this with something else: owning a house.

Houses are expensive too, yet people buy them. The reason people buy houses is because owning a house is an investment.

People buy houses because

a) it’s better paying a mortgage than it is is paying rent

b) at the end of paying the mortgage, you still own the house, and it has increased in value.

So, to finish the comparison, when you own a solar panel, you can

a) use the power bill savings to pay off the solar panel, and

b) once the solar panel is paid off, you still own the solar panel. It’s still paying your power bills.

And it has increased the value of your house.

This is why the expense of solar panels is better looked at as an investment.

#3. Solar Panels are New, Untested Technology.

Actually, the photovoltaic effect (creating electricity from sunlight) was first discovered in 1839. The first solar panel was made in 1882. Solar energy is not exactly new on the scene.

Also, the major development of solar panels was during the space race. Solar panels were needed to power the satellites orbiting the earth.

If you can imagine a situation where it was more important to create a reliable technology, I would like to know it too.

Photovoltaic panels have no moving parts, and their maintenance requires being washed maybe once or twice a year. And this is only because dust slightly reduces their efficiency.

Solar panels are reliable, tested technology.

#4. You need a huge roof for solar panels.

Actually, unless you live off the grid, it’s best not to install a giant solar panel system.

Most people who live on the grid will see great benefits from a small system, sometimes even one that takes care of 20% of their bill.

This is because of the billing structure of power companies.

This billing structure is called tiered rates, and is designed to penalize heavy power users. It means that usually the last 10-15% of your bill (depending how much power you use) will be charged at a higher rate.

This is where solar power comes in. With a small system, you can eliminate that last, expensive part of your bill. This is called a ‘peak shaver’ solar installation.

Literally, it shaves the expensive ‘peak’ rated power off your bill.

So even with a small solar panel system you can get excellent bill savings.

That’s the 4 big solar energy myths covered.

The average family in the United States spends around $1,300 a year on bills to provide energy to the home, most of that energy is wasted by the home. Millions of $’s are wasted every year through appliances being unnecessarily left on and conditioned or heated air is just rushing out of buildings. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning units are not being maintained or modified to be the most efficient, windows leak conditioned air, and appliances devour energy.

A power provider, burning fossil fuels, provides all of the power provided to our houses. By wasting this power each and every one of us is burning more fossil fuel than required. Admittedly looking at the power the individual wastes does not mount to a great deal, but if you multiply that by all the homes in the USA (119,117,000), that is an awful lot of wasted energy. If each and every household changed only one thing think what might be saved!

There is an abundance of choices to make your energy savings with, but why not chose something that will provide you with a payback and potentially increase the value of the property. I would like to bring to your attention, Insulation. By insulating walls and roof space etc, saving up to 40% can be had off heating bills.

Spray Foam Insulation Kits are a cost effective way of insulating the home. This can be done by a professional or by using a DIY Insulation kit.

Benefits of Using Insulation Foam?

Not only will you be playing a part in reducing global warming as you will be using less power, but you will be saving up to 40% of your heating and cooling bills! The home will adopt the properties of a cool box or a thermos! It will keep the cool air in for longer (summer time) or the hot air in for longer (winter time)

Research from the U.S. Government’s energy labs has estimated that cracks and openings in the walls and roof waste up to 40% of every home heating and cooling expenditure. This is a simple thing to stop, just by sealing cracks and openings in the home with Spray Foam Insulation Kits.

On average a household winter heating bill is around $142 a month. By doing something as simple as insulating your walls, savings could be could be seen of up to;

• $57.00 a Month.
• $680.00 a Year.
• $3408.00 over five years

As you can see from above, the time it takes for this home improvement to pay for itself is pretty quick. This type of improvement is likely to improve the homes R-Value (R-value is a measure of a material’s thermal resistance, or how well it holds back heat gain or loss. The higher the R-value the better).

Spray Foam Insulation Kits are quick and easy jobs to do. A few hours can seal and insulate a home. It’s easy to seal and insulate an attic, basement, or crawlspace. Over time sealing and insulating your home properly will see savings of thousands.