The recent peak pump price for gasoline took the average homeowner's breath away. Even skeptics have begun to realize that our current dependence upon fossil fuels is a no-win situation. Our energy supplies are being depleted and will someday run out, maybe in the lifetime of many homeowners. In addition to the well known negative effect upon our environment and economy, the higher prices are wreaking havoc on the average homeowner's budget.
Desperate homeowners are beginning to actively investigate alternatives to buying their electrical power from the local power company. Wind power and DIY home solar energy are offering tempting alternatives. DIY home solar power especially offers a low cost and technically simple solution for many. It's free, inexhaustible, readily available, and storable.
The easiest and most straightforward way to install a reliable residential solar energy system is to have it installed by a contractor who specializes in solar power systems. If you elect to travel this route, be prepared to pay upwards from $20,000 for your average sized home. If you can afford this cost without a second thought - go for it. If you are an average homeowner, however, you may find it prohibitive.
If you are moderately handy, have a few common hand tools, and can follow clear step by step instructions, you may be able to build your own DIY home solar energy system for around $200. For many homeowners, that cost is equivalent to more than one month's electric bill, and is easily justified as the cost will be quickly amortized by energy cost savings.
All materials needed to create and install a DIY residential solar energy system are readily available, inexpensive, portable, and can be easily manhandled by most homeowners. The basic materials are common to any building project and include: plywood, copper wire, sandpaper, and metal-cutting shears
