A Homemade Solar System - Your Path to Going Green

It seems no matter where you go today you hear about the importance of going green and using green energy rather than relying on the earth's depleting resources. Renewable energy as it is also called has taken the spotlight not only because we are attempting to preserve our natural resources, but because energy costs throughout the world have risen exponentially in recent years. Commercial cost for these systems is still relatively high but you can build a homemade solar system and get on your path to going green if you are willing to put forth a little effort.

The sun produces tremendous amounts of energy and scientists have long been seeking out ways to harness that energy and put it to practical use. In just one hour the sun produces a level of energy that would be sufficient to meet our entire planet's energy needs from the beginning of time to the present. That's a lot of energy! The problem is trying to capture that energy and put it to practical use. There have been many advances in the green energy industry in recent years as scientists have developed innovative ways to harness the sun's thermal resources but we have a long way to go to reach energy independence. Three tools which can be used to exploit the sun's energy for your home are:

• Solar Panels. These are also known as photovoltaic panels and have been around for many years. They are made from tiny wafers of silicon which are connected together in series. They must be protected from moisture and mechanical damage so the wafer collection is generally enclosed in a box covered by glass. These solar panels are generally rigid but recently scientists have developed flexible panels. The invention of these flexible panels has opened up an entire new area of possibilities. It is even possible to place panels on a sheet that can be rolled up and taken literally anywhere to power or charge small electronic devices. Most of us have seen solar panels on a home. These panels can be used to take a home entirely off grid depending upon the installation. Solar panels produce direct current which must be stored in batteries and then later converted to AC if used in a home. The major drawback to solar electric systems is the cost. The cost has come down significantly but these systems are still out of reach of most homeowners. For the resourceful, a home solar system to provide electricity for your home can be built at a fraction of the cost.
• Solar Oven. Solar cookers or ovens are devices which though they have long been used are not well known. Despite this, they are excellent tools to use on your path to going green. Since they use no natural resources such as wood to cook, environmentalists and humanitarians have encouraged their use throughout the world. There are many different types but the most common consists of a box surrounded by solar reflectors. The box itself is covered by glass to increase the radiation which is reflected into the box. They can be used to bake, boil or steam and can reach temperatures in excess of 400 degrees Fahrenheit under the right conditions. These are commercially available but these can be expensive. But, if you search the internet, you can find numerous plans to build a solar oven for pennies on the dollar.
• Solar Water Heaters. These too have long been a part of the path to green. Since it is said that a water heater is one of the major energy using appliances in a home, installing one of these systems is an ideal way to lower your energy costs. There are two basic components to these energy savers: a collector and a tank. Sometimes a second tank will be installed before the home's original tank. Some solar water heater systems are active which means they have a circulating pump and others are passive and do not. Basically, the sun pre-heats the water before it gets to the home's hot water system, decreasing the need for heating. These too can be expensive to install commercially but can also be an excellent DIY project for someone who doesn't mind doing the work themselves. It is quite possible to build one at a fraction of the cost with a little initiative.

The common denominator we find in these home solar systems is their high cost. Fortunately, as mentioned, there are alternatives for each of these three devices. There are ways one can save thousands of dollars and install a very efficient solar system which can power their home if they don’t mind doing it themselves with a DIY kit or guide. These systems can be built with inexpensive materials which can be purchased at your local hardware store. I have prepared a review of three guides which give detailed plans and instructions on how to build your own homemade solar system as well as other energy saving devices such as wind turbine generators for your home. To read my review of these guides which will help you lower your average electricity bill, go to http://www.squidoo.com/Lower-average-electricity-bill-guides.

To your journey on your path to going green!