Solar Panel by Dominic's Pics
When oil prices began to rise in 2008, citizens of the United States – actually, people all over the planet – began to talk more about alternative sources of fuel than they ever had before and interest in home made solar panels rose, as well.
Due to the still high cost of manufacturing the photovoltaic cells needed to make solar panels, commercial costs of these panels make it impractical for homeowners to pay for a commercial installation. The cost to convert an average home to one fully functioning from solar energy can cost more than $20,000 and the homeowner may not receive sufficient savings to cover the cost of that investment for more than 10 years.
It seems ludicrous, thought, that a free source of energy like the sun should cost so much to acquire that it becomes unattainable. What we need to remember, and what slipped away when oil prices settled back down, is that there are other reasons homeowners should continue to seek solutions to converting their homes to solar power.
Solar powered electricity is much safer for the environment than the conversion process employed in traditional electricity sources. Simply because oil returned to a normal price base does not also mean that the issues with the environment were cleared up.
There are ways for homeowners to take advantage of solar power today without having to wait for commercial costs to become cost effective for the residential market. Many have found that home made solar panels can help defray their current electricity bill. Even moving several appliances from the standard grid to an off-grid source can mean a monthly reduction to your utility bill.
Breaking it down to smaller projects can help the average homeowner reduce their monthly electric bill and see a shorter payback period than doing a full installation until the cost of those installations comes down.
For example, at the 2009 average cost per KWH of $.1159, it costs $20.30 a year to run one 60 watt light bulb for eight hours each day every day of the year. If you made one home made solar panel that generated 120 watts of power, you’d have enough power each day to run six 60 watt light bulbs for eight hours each day for an annual savings of $121.80 ($20.30 times the six light bulbs). Even if it cost you $300 to make the one solar panel, you would have achieved a payback on your investment in under three years’ time.
Solar panels can be used to run your outdoor lighting system, your yard sprinkler system, a workshop garage or even employed to power just a few of the most power consuming appliances in your home. Homeowners do not have to be held hostage by the cost of commercial solar power systems. You can achieve reductions in your electricity bill quickly with a small investment of your time and money in making your own solar panels to assist with daily power consumption, shorten your investment payback period and still take advantage of government energy tax credits.
Read the Earth4Energy review and see if you could benefit from using home made solar panels in your home.
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