I am really happy with the results

Hi,

How are you?

I have attached a picture of my latest solar panel. It’s an 80 watt panel and I have used an alloy frame.

It took me a couple of weekends to make and I am really happy with the results. I also put my laptop in front of the panel with the earth4energy web site on it for you.

Let me know what you think!

Best,
Frank B.
January 10 2009
Age – 51, Location – TX, US

“I made my first windmill on the weekend…”

Thanks for the detailed guide. I made my first windmill on the weekend and I am just letting you know its going great!

I could not have done it without your detailed diagrams.

All I need to do now is to paint the end of the blades like the one on your web site and fix it properly to my roof.

I am actually going to make a few of these so I can eliminate my power bill completely!

Thanks again,
Mark Monarsh
Aus

Age – 41, Location – NSW, AU

“…Very simple to follow”

I really enjoyed watching the videos about joining the solar cells. Very simple to follow. Good job!

Thank you,
Adam Sands
California

Age – 27, Location – CA, US

Case Study #1

I’m so glad I tried your system. I made my first solar panel this weekend and I wanted to let you know it’s awesome.

With your diagrams work was a breeze. Only one panel saves me a big chunk of electricity. Next weekend I’ll do another one. Most likely with 2 or 3 of these I will be able to eliminate my electric bill for good.

Thank you very much,
Terry Rains
Michigan

Case Study #2

Hi,

Thanks for your step-by-step guide. Using the HomeMadeEnergy guide me and my son have built our own wind mill. We couldn’t believe our eyes how easy it is to make your own energy. Now, after 3 wind mills, we’re completely using our own energy for our home. And it’s nice to see how you credit the electric company.

Thanks again for providing this to us,
Jason Hutto
Nevada

Case Study #3

After reading your book I’ve decided to go with the solar system. Although it’s very rainy in UK, there is enough Sun to power it up.

In UK the price of electricity is probably bigger than in US. So I don’t know if you realize how great this is for our money savings.

By the way, you’ve put a lot of work in the HomeMadeEnergy guide and it shows. I want to congratulate you for doing this.

A very happy client,
Gerald Robinson
Manchester

Case Study #4

“We live in an appartment. We have an open balcony and I decided it’s the best place to use a wind mill.

It worked better than expected. Although we’re not yet completely on our own energy, I am able to slash the electricity bill by half.

That means about €40 a month which is very cool.

Thank you,
Pieter van Bronckhorst
Netherlands

The most popular use of green solar energy is for saving money. Although green solar energy systems can come with a large initial investment, they generally pay for themselves in a few years by providing either supplemental electricity or all of the electricity to your home or business. Building your own solar panels, participating in government refunds and net metering, in which you sell unused electricity back to the power company, can reduce the cost of implementing a green solar energy system. In addition, green solar energy systems require little to no maintenance after installation, as most have no moving parts.

The most important benefit of utilizing green solar energy is completely environmental. With polar ice caps dwindling away and climate changes creating tragic storms world wide, it is increasingly obvious that steps must be taken to decrease global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels. Green solar energy provides a clean energy alternative as it creates little pollution and does not contribute to global warming.

Green solar energy systems can be used by homes and businesses alike. If going solar cannot meet all of your energy needs, it can certainly reduce them. Utilizing green solar energy can save you money, but it?s greatest benefit is to the environment and our future.

You may be wondering why you should build a wind generator when you can just purchase one, but commercial wind generators cost in the thousands to buy. The materials needed to build a wind generator, the DC motor, batteries, towers and hub, are fairly inexpensive. It is possible to build a wind generator for under $500 and that means realizing the return on your investment years before you would have buying a professionally installed commercial model. Even if you invest in better quality materials when you build a wind generator, you will still find your total cost way below that of the professional installation.

Electric power generated by wind is one of the most efficient renewable power resources available. Many cities worldwide have started to convert to wind power to supplement their energy supply. It is possible to have a green energy supply by taking the time to build a wind generator. Not only are you helping the environment, but also you can save money at the same time.

It is not difficult to build a wind generator. The average do-it-yourself  can complete this project with simple tools. There are detailed instructions and plans available to build a wind generator in your workshop or home. So build your wind generator today and put it on your roof or support pole and start generating your free power, thanks to a little breeze.

Adding to the affordability, many solar electricity systems are able to participate in net metering in several states. This means that as your solar electricity system generates more power than you are using, your meter runs backwards resulting in an even swap of power that you use at other times when you exceed the power supplied by your own solar electricity system.

Before you invest in a solar electricity system for your home or business, it is best to understand exactly what you are purchasing and how solar electricity is generated. The building block of any solar electricity system is the photovoltaic cells, which are wired together to produce solar electricity modules. The electricity produced from the modules or panels is then passed through an inverter that changes the current from AC to DC, making it usable to power household appliances and the utility grid. It is often a popular choice to include batteries in a solar electricity system to store backup power to be used in times of low sun light and power outages.

It is important to realize that solar electricity systems work intermittently or only when the sun hits them. This is not a problem if you utilize battery backup systems or are connected to the grid. Installing a solar electricity system can also come with an initially high investment cost and it can take years before the system pays for itself. However, with net metering and government funded rebates, many are able to pay off systems much more quickly.

You definitely don’t need to know the physics of solar electricity systems to understand its appeal. A solar electricity system will never run out of fuel nor will it increase our dependency on foreign oil. Stop thinking about a solar electricity system for your home or business and start investing in your freedom by starting your research of solar electricity systems today.

The principles of off grid living may be applied to any home in the world, even those currently tied to the grid. From solar panels, hydro power and windmills, there is growing curiosity in off grid living and breaking free from fossil fuel burning power plants. The technologies have advanced and the costs have dropped greatly. Even do-it-yourself can take leaps into off grid living with many kits, resources and manuals available for instruction. As energy demands increase globally, those living off grid can rest easy knowing their own energy costs are diminishing.

The idea of off grid living can be scary to some who believe they will have to give up some of their most prized possessions and electronic gadgets to achieve such freedom. This is very far from the truth. Off grid living is simply about learning to moderate your use of electricity. It can be as simple as turning off lights that are not really in use. Purchasing appliances that don’t use energy when not in use (like clocks on microwaves and stoves). Learning to unplug, not just turn off. Things like computers and printers, well anything with the little green light that is always on, these items are stealing precious energy and adding to your bill. Wanting to become part of the off grid living adventure, doesn’t always mean giving up everything, sometimes it just means getting smarter about the things you have.

Off grid living has gotten so popular that even completely re-locatable high efficiency homes are being produced to meet those needs. Very similar to mobile homes and travel travelers in layout and definitely only designed for a one or two person dwelling, these housing units use solar power, passive solar design and a small amount of natural gas to provide off grid living that you can take with you when you move.

If you are interested in off grid living, but need more success stories to drive you over the teetering point then start your research on the Internet. There are tons of great resources available and individuals who took the plunge into off grid living with great success telling their stories. Imagine, no more gathering around that one little candle when the power goes out, or having the neighbors over to watch their favorite shows when there is a blackout. Off grid living is obtainable for anyone and you too can enjoy the life of off grid living no matter where you make your home.

Difference between bio-fuels and fossil fuels Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following ways:

1. Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of days.
2. Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution. Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.
3. Bio-fuels are renewable energy sources of energy unlike fossil fuels.

Different types of bio-fuels

1. Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.
2. The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.
3. The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.
4. The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without harming it.
5. The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.

Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:

1. Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil fuels.
2. Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
3. Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-effective for consumers.

Disadvantages of bio-fuels

Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages, paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of which are stated below:

1. Economists have long debated on the usefulness of first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.
2. Making bio-fuels require acres of farming land, thus encroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and animals.

Conventionally, electricity is produced by moving colossal turbines. These turbines are moved with the help of various types of energy. Let’s look at the most conventional ways of producing electrical energy:

1. By using various fuels and water – Water is heated on a large-scale in furnaces. The vapor generated helps move the blades of turbines. Fuels like petroleum, coal, and natural gas are used to heat large quantities of water.
2. By nuclear fission – Electricity is produced in nuclear reactors by making use of the heat generated in the chain reaction caused by nuclear fission. This heat boils water on a large scale converting it into vapor that turns the blades of the turbines.
3. By bio-waste – Electricity is now also being produced by burning bio-fuels instead of fossil fuels. Bio-fuels are obtained from biological waste, mainly from plants. Bio-fuels are considered safer than fossil fuels.
4. By hydro-power – Water is also a popular method of producing electricity. Rivers and large bodies of water are used to move huge turbines. Though this method of electricity production does not affect the air around us, it spoils the ecological balance inside the water bodies.
5. By wind – Electricity is produced by wind generators. These wind generators convert wind energy into mechanical energy which is further converted into electrical energy.

Why is there a need for looking for alternate electricity sources?

Alternate power solutions are needed in the light of highly-depleting fuels and energy sources. Moreover, most of the convention ways of electricity production harms the environment in one way or the other.

The world is currently faced with tremendous power-crisis. We can no longer depend on fossil fuels for power. At the same time, we need to take measures to prevent the harmful effects that convention power production has on the environment.

How can we produce electricity?

In times of global power-crisis and severe environmental-damage, the question is: what can we do to help? We can do plenty if we want to. We need to start with consuming less power. Next, we can employ any of the following energy solution to make electricity:

1. Wind power solution – Installing a wind turbine can help generate electricity for our homes and farms.
2. Solar power solution – Using the solar power to cook light up and heat our homes is a wise idea.
3. Bio-gas – Bio-gas can be used to produce electricity on small scales.

Make sure to discuss with family member about the importance of saving electricity. You can reward them a treat if their participation has led to savings. Suggest them some tips like switching of the lights when they are not present there and attending a call in another room or having dinner at the dining table. Make sure to switch off all the appliances even if you are sure to be back in five minutes. Yes, that will help a lot. Every drop of water makes an ocean.

We may prefer to switch off the television set or turn off the fan, but not the tube light.We need light at the time of night but see that the usage is required in all the rooms or not.Taking care of such these small precautions will surely leads us to savings in the long run by reducing the bills of the power demon.

One should plan to invest smartly on power. Replace all the incandescent bulbs present in the house with compact fluorescent light or those CFL bulbs. These bulbs consume less electricity as they consume less power.

Buy the energy saver gadgets that are available in the market. Such gadgets will monitor the intake of the entire power supply in your house and makes you take decision on how to control the usage.

Most of us assume on the fact that the rise in electricity bill is due to the vast number of electrical items present at home. But the truth is that the electricity bill is not directly connected or affected due to the number of gadgets, but by the way one uses them.

Take a step forward to avoid using those typical items regularly that consumes lot of power

1. The washing machine should be used only when there is a bucket full of clothes.
2. The geyser should not be kept on for maximum amount of time.
3. The air-conditioner should be kept at minimum high or low temperature.
4. Take note to switch off the computer monitor when not in use. It consumes maximum power and it just takes a second to switch it again.

Lastly, I recommend that you take the benefit of one of our reviewed DIY renewable energy guides here at TomSolarhome.com