My Solar Plans is one of the latest information product on the web that teaches you how to build your own Do It Yourself (DIY) Photovoltaic (PV) panels. Its main web site can be found at www.mysolarplans.com/.

A lot of home owners are currently looking for ways to reduce their home electricity consumption. I don’t know about you, but for myself, my home electricity bill is my second largest monthly expenses next to my bank mortgage. As we buy more new electronic gadgets for our household, the amount of money we pay the power utility company will only get higher and higher.

One way of supplementing our home energy usage is by installing a residential solar power system. However, a solar system installed by professionals can cost upwards of $30,000 to $45,000! The Return On Investment (ROI) can take up to 25 to 30 years. It is safe to say, most home owners would not be able to afford such option.

A cheaper alternative to utilize the energy from the sun is to make the solar panels and setup the entire system on our own. This is where MySolarPlans will be useful.

MySolarPlans – DIY Solar Panel Guide

Firstly, the My Solar Plans guide is actually not an ebook or digital PDF file. As a matter of fact, MySolarPlans download area consists of 7 High Definition (HD) instructional videos teaching you how to make a PV panel on your own with a relatively small budget.

The HD videos are streamed into your computer meaning you can watch them over and over again, just like watching video clips on YouTube. Each video ranges from 3 to 5 minutes long.

The videos start off my explaining what My Solar Plans membership site is all about and then it goes through the tools and parts list needed for the project. The most important process is learning how to solder the solar cells together. You have to know how to connect up to 18 pieces of 3 x 6 inch PV cells together in order to generate sufficient power to charge the deep cycle batteries.

In the members’ area, you will also get to download the complete manual on creating your own 70 watt solar panel, building material check list, tools check list, PV panel diagram, connectivity chart and resource guide.

Soldering PV Cell Together Video

When you purchase MySolarPlans, you will also receive 4 bonus materials which are:

1) How To Be Environmentally Friendly e-book (Value $27) – This manual will show you simple actions you can take to do your part in living a greener life.

The guide covers topic such as ways to save electricity bill, how to save water, how to have a greener lawn, hybrid cars, tips on organic gardening etc.

2) How To Be Environmentally Friendly MP3 version (Value $15.95) – If you prefer to listen to audio book rather than ready a PDF file, this bonus will be ideal for you.

3) Solar Power For Energy e-book (Value $17.00) – Do you want to know why solar power was ignored in the past and why it is important in the future, this comprehensive report will give you the answer.

4) How To Make Biodiesel From Vegetable Oil report (Value $9.95) – One of the ways to save on your energy cost is to make your own biodiesel from vegetable oil. This report will show you the correct way to extract biodiesel oil minus the expensive cost.

With the 7 high definition videos and all the bonus material, the entire package cost only $49.97. You can use your Paypal account to make your purchase and then access MySolarPlans download area immediately. If you are in the process of researching DIY solar panel guides, I hope this MySolarPlans review has been useful for you. Click on the link below to visit the web site now.

==> Click here to get My Solar Plans now!

Solar panels are arrays of interlinked solar cells. A solar panel normally forms part of an overall Photovoltaic (PV) electrical system to generate and distribute electricity.

PV panels do not sometime function at all and even it works; it does not generate power at optimum levels. There are many reasons for malfunctioning of the solar panel. But the question is, how do you troubleshoot a faulty solar panel?

Here are 4 of the causes for malfunctioning of home solar panels and possible solutions to overcome the problem.

1) Over-heating problem.

If the solar panels are installed in comparatively warm areas; the panels are likely to absorb sweltering heat. In the midday, during the scorching sun, the solar cells function at above their normal temperature limits resulting in considerable drop in voltage of the solar panel system.

This is a usual feature and they recover once the atmosphere cools down. For example, a normal 18V capacity PV cell is designed to operate at around the voltage range of 17 to 18 at 25° C. Even if the efficiency level decreases due to high temperatures, the voltage of solar cells can be still around 12.

However, if the voltage drop is much below this level; it may be due to either a weak PV cell or defective electrical connections at some place in the array.

2) Corrosion and expansion of connections due to heat.

Oxidation and expansion of electrical wiring due to heat can result in increase of resistance and consequent reduction in power generation. Wrapping with a sheet or pour water over it, without removing its outer covering may help in cooling the array.

Once the system is cooled, the voltage may return to a normal range and if it does not happen, there may be a faulty cell in the array. A ‘shading test’ will help in locating any faulty cell in the system.

In order to carry out a Shading Test, the panel should be dismantled first and after that, the faults in the cells or electrical wiring can be identified by just shading portions of the panel by turns. Keeping the panel disconnected, check the output with a multi-meter or test the load using a small fan.

If in spite of shading a portion of the surface of the panel, the power does not drop, it means that cells in that portion of the panel are not functioning efficiently.

In order to locate the faults, all the tabs and wiring at intersections of the nearby sequence of cells should be checked. Any indication of corrosion at any point in the sequence of cells may be the origin of the malfunction of the system, leading to decrease in power generation. This problem requires immediate attention and if it is not rectified soon, it may damage a cell due to excessive heat.

The additional resistance due to faulty soldering increases the load as well as the overall resistance and the prolonged excessive heating of the cells leads ultimately to its breakdown. Besides a visual check of all connections, the Shading Test can be helpful to spot the defective area of the panel. The problem may be due to poor soldering.

3) Moisture in solar panel.

If by any chance the moisture gets into the cell, it will be a very big problem. Moisture is the root cause of oxidation and it corrodes all electrical connections.

If the home is situated close to seashore, all electrical connections can get corroded because of salty moist breeze coming from the sea. Moisture can also make wood go out of shape and twisted wooden panel container can cause breaks in electrical connections or cracks may develop in cells.

In order to overcome this sort of problem, it is advisable to use aluminum or Perspex sealed panel even if it means an additional expenditure. All corroded metal parts and connections should also be replaced without any delay.

4) Damaged blocking diode.

Most of the PV arrays use a “blocking diode” to stop array from discharging the batteries at night. Though not very common, a damaged blocking array can also contribute to the system failure. If this is the problem, there will not be any power output at the connecting leads.

If possible faults in all other vulnerable areas are eliminated; the next course of action is to carry out a “Diode Test”. If the diode is defective, it should be replaced immediately. If one is in a remote place, the diode should be taken out from the circuit till a replacement is procured.

The panels should be disconnected at night till a replacement is obtained; otherwise your battery bank will get totally discharged. In order to minimize expenses, some people try to group several smaller diodes to correspond with the “blocking amperage”.

However, it is not at all advisable to use smaller diodes. This is because the electric current will first flow through the smallest diode, the lowest point of resistance, till it gets overheated and fails, then the current flows through the next diode till it also stops working and ultimately. Everything short circuits and blows with disastrous consequences to the whole electrical system.

If you want to have a diagnostic test carried out on blocking diodes, it is advisable to information about the said diode before proceeding.

Solar panels are, generally, dependable, even in cloudy atmosphere or in snowy conditions, if they are properly maintained and kept clean. Moisture causes a lot of damage and therefore panels should always be in sealed condition.

Have you been considering harnessing the power of the sun as part of going green and lightening your environmental footprint? When you are ready to choose the best solar power system for your home, there are a lot of factors to consider. The following are 6 questions you should ask yourself when selecting the best solar panel for your home solar power system.

1) How much are you willing to pay?

The price for a solar panel is based on the size of the unit, the manufacturer, warranty service offered and any energy efficiency certifications the system may posses.

Choosing the ideal solar panel for your home depends large on your budget. But, do not select the least expensive panel, but instead choose the system that is best suited for your homes size and energy needs.

Also note, inexpensive, lower-end systems may not produce and store enough energy to qualify you for government rebates or to save you any significant money on your electric bill.

2) How long will it last?

The durability of a solar panel system is very important for several reasons. First, you should expect a solar panel to last long enough to pay for itself in power generation. If the system takes 10 years of power generation to pay off but the warranty only is 5 years, the system may need to be replaced before it has paid for itself.

Also, if you are planning on installing a critical system, note that lower quality panels will have be replaced earlier than other panels, leading to increased disruptions in power generation. Most reputable dealers of higher-end solar panel systems offer a 25 year warranty on all systems. With a little bit of investment, you can have a “peace of mind”.

3) How much power do you need?

Most solar panels are priced by dollars per Watt. Watt refers to the output of a panel; for instance, under ideal conditions, a 100 Watt panel would be able to produce 100 Watts of electricity per hour, a 200 Watt panel would produce 200 Watt per hour, and so on.

Therefore, a 200 Watt panel would be twice the price as a 100 Watt panel. Also, the output of the panel also determines the surface area required to absorb light and the size of the unit, meaning a 200 Watt panel would be larger in size than a 100 Watt unit.

The kind of solar cells used in the fabrication of the unit, also contributes to the panel size. It’s important to consider that you will require a panel large enough to supply your electricity needs but small enough to physically fit the area that you plan to install it.

Therefore, make some calculation on how much power you’ll need from your residential solar system and then make your decision from there.

4) How efficient is it?

Energy efficiency is an important factor when choosing appliances and systems for your home, yet there has been debate over the “energy efficiency” of one type of solar panel versus another.

It is important to remember that solar panels are producing, not consuming power, so a 200 Watt solar panel will produce 200 Watts regardless of its “energy efficiency” rating. The key here is to select the Photovoltaic (PV) panel which is the most efficient.

5) What type of solar cells it uses?

There are 3 different types of solar cells. The first, mono-crystalline silicon, is the most efficient and with this type of solar cells, the panels are smallest on the market.

The second, poly-crystalline (or multi-crystalline) silicon, is the second most efficient and the panels are larger than mono-crystalline silicon systems. The third cell is morphous (or thin-film) silicon; this type contains the least amount of silicon and produces the least amount of power. It also takes up more surface area then the two other types of cells; however, it can be installed on curved or irregular surfaces where the other systems cannot.

6) Is the solar panel suitability for your climate?

It is important to note that mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline function best in bright but cool conditions, while amorphous (thin-film) silicon performs better at higher temperatures. Monocrystalline or multi-crystalline cells are recommended for large, unshaded roofs; amorphous panels are better for roofs with partial shading.

Regardless of what type of solar panel system is used in full shade, it will not perform well. It seems fairly obvious to state, but you can’t harvest the power of the sun in the shade; so by this logic, advertisements for “shade tolerant” systems should be considered misleading.

Build Your Own Solar Panel Guide

One of the best ways to save money on a residential solar power system is to build your own solar panel. If you are good with hand tools, you can make a Photovoltaic (PV) array for around $150. What you’ll need is a step by step instructional guide.

Read some of the Earth 4 Energy reviews and learn what the top selling DIY solar array ebook on the web has to offer. Also, remember to check out the Earth4Energy download page for more information.

==> Click here to visit Earth4Energy now!

My Solar Plans is one of the latest Do It Yourself (DIY) home solar guides available on the internet. When I first saw its main web site at www.mysolarplans.com, I was quite intrigued by the way they presented their program.

Rather than using a long sales letter just like any other residential solar guide sites, they use a simple video presentation instead. This is very useful for people that do not like to read long sales cover. All you have to do is switch on your speakers and listen to what they have to offer.

As a matter of fact, My Solar Plans program is more than just an e-book. The bulk of the content is presented in video format. The e-books included are the home solar plans, parts list and material shopping list.

Behind the MySolarPlans members’ area, you get to download 7 High Definition (HD) videos on how to make your own Photovoltaic (PV) panel. The DIY solar panel is capable of generating up to 70 watt of electricity. If you want to use is to power your home, you may need from 5 to 10 solar panels.

Generally, the quality of the instructional videos is quite good. Since they are recorded in HD, everything is crisp and clear. My only pet peeve is the Australian accent of the presenter.

All in all, My Solar Plans does deliver what they promised in their video presentation which is to show you how you can reduce your home electricity bill by using solar power.

However, to successfully power your home with solar energy, you have to put in a lot of hard work. If you don’t know how electricity work and if you have never handled a hot soldering iron before, then making your own solar array may not be such a good idea. In this case, it is much better for you to outsource the entire project to a professional solar contractor.

Personally, I think My Solar Plans program can stand on par with most of the good home solar guides available on the internet. Since it is offered through Clickbank, you are automatically covered by their 60 days money back guarantee policy. If you do not see any value from the guide, you can ask for a full refund within 60 days of your purchase date.

For more information the My Solar Plans ebooks and instructional videos, click on the link below.

==> Click here to visit My Solar Plans now!

I have been reviewing Do It Yourself (DIY) home solar power online guides for the last 14 months. I’ve seen some really good ones and some guides are outright awful. The latest residential solar system manual is My Solar Plans available from www.mysolarplans.com.

When I first saw it, my thought was, “Is My Solar Plans a scam? Does it work?” I actually bought the package and thought of writing this review for all readers.

Is My Solar Plans any different from all the other home solar guides available on the internet? Here’s one thing unique they did, they present their program through a simple video presentation rather than a long sales letter. This is a smart approach because some people do not like to read long web pages.

So far so good!

Inside My Solar Plans members’ area, the bulk of the content is instructional videos showing you how to make a 70 watt Photovoltaic (PV) panel. The quality of the videos is pretty good because they are recorded in High Definition (HD). If you don’t mind Australian accent, the commentator is pretty good as well.

Does My Solar Plans really work? In the main web site, the publisher of MySolarPlans promised to show you how to build your own solar panels for a small price with easy step by step instructions, plans, diagrams and videos. They do deliver on that promise with the 8 HD instructional videos in the members’ area.

All these instructions are good, but are you well versed with handling fragile PV cells, soldering iron and powered hand tools? To make the solar panel, you must be able to make the solar panel box and solder all the solar cells together.

A typical solar panel capable of generating 70 watts of electricity has about 12 PV cells. To generate enough energy from the sun, you would need a minimum of 5 solar panels to have sufficient power for a small room.

If you have never done any soldering before and don’t know how simple powered tools work, then building a DIY home solar power system may not be such a good idea. It is best you outsource the entire project to a professional solar contractor.

Nonetheless, if you have the right skill and knowledge, My Solar Plans program is available for $49.97. Since it is offered through Clickbank, you are automatically covered by their 60 days money back guarantee policy.

Meaning, if you do not see any value in the program, you are entitled for a full refund within 60 days from your purchase date. All you have to do is contact Clickbank Customer Service and give them your receipt number. To watch My Solar Plans video presentation, click on the link below.

==> Click here to visit My Solar Plans now!

The MySolarPlans program is one of the latest Do It Yourself (DIY) home solar power system guide available on the web. When I first saw its main web site at www.mysolarplans.com, it was pretty unique because instead of using a long sale letter explaining the guide just like everyone else, they used a simple video presentation. Pretty clever!

I decided to buy the package and do a quick My Solar Plans review for the benefit all the readers. The picture above shows the members’ section and on the top portion, there are 12 tabs.

The main content is the step by step instructional videos on how to make your own solar panel capable of producing 70 watt without spending more than $100. The quality of the videos is pretty good because they are recorded in High Definition (HD). My only pet peeve is the language of the presenter, it is very clear he has an Australian accent.

In the MySolarPlans members’ area, you also get to download the manual on DIY Photovoltaic (PV) panel, parts list, list of all the tools required and PV panel connection diagrams.

My Solar Plans Bonuses

After going through the members’ area, I was pretty pleased with the bonuses they offered. When you buy MySolarPlans, there are 5 bonuses included for you. The bonuses are:

- How to Be Environmentally Friendly e-book

- How to Be Environmentally Friendly MP3 version

- Solar Power For Energy e-book

- How to Make Biodiesel From Vegetable Oil e-book

- 30 Days Free Trial to Saving Secrets Club

All the bonuses are valued at over $96.00 and you’ll get it all free as a member!

My Solar Plans Guarantee

Since the MySolarPlans program is sold through Clickbank, you are automatically covered by their 60 days money back policy. If for whatever reason you do not see any value in the My Solar Plans content, you are entitled for a full refund within 60 days from the purchase date. The buyer satisfaction policy pretty much removes all the risk from you.

My Solar Plans Review Conclusion

So, should you buy the MySolarPlans package? For the last 14 months, I have been researching a lot of information on DIY residential solar power system. I have also reviewed a lot of online home solar system guide.

The content quality of My Solar Plans is pretty decent and is on par with most top selling home solar guide. If you are planning to make your own solar panel to reduce your home electricity bill, the My Solar Plans program will offer you some valuable information.

The entire program inclusive of the 7 HD instructional videos and the bonuses is selling at only $49.97. Get it now before they increase the price.

==> Click here to visit MySolarPlans now!

To calculate your energy needs, follow the 3 steps below.

1) Calculate your home daily energy usage.

To get this figure, you begin by getting your home energy bills for the last 12 months and calculate the average kilowatt hour (kWh) usage per month. Why do you need last 12 months bill? Reason being, the power usage of your home fluctuates throughout the seasons.

Add up the total power used for the past 12 months and divide it by 12. That will give you the average monthly power consumption.

Now, take the figure and divide it by 30 and you should have your average daily power consumption.

2) Solar power system output.

This is to determine how much power you need the solar system to generate. But before you begin, find out how many usable sunlight hours your region receive per day. Different areas will have different average sun coverage. To get this number, look at the solar insolation map.

Now, use the average daily power usage you calculate earlier and divide it by the number of daily usable sunlight hour from the insolation map. Next, multiple the number with 1.25 as a factor to account for energy wastage from wiring, batteries, charge controller, power inverter etc.

Here’s an example, assuming your daily power needs is 15.4 kWh and your region has average 5.5 hours of sunlight. Then the calculation will be 15.4 / 5.5 x 1.25 = 3.5 kWh or 3500 watts a day.

Assuming you are getting a solar panel rated at 180watts, then you will need 3500/180 = 19.4 or 20 pieces of solar panel.

3) Photovoltaic (PV) panel watt cost.

Now, you need to calculate how much it will cost you to buy all the PV panels needed to generate at least 3500 watts of power. For the time being, the highest average cost for solar panels in the United States is $4.98 a watt. So, the solar panels cost will be 3500 x 4.98 = $17,430.

The figure is a rough indication of how much it will cost you to buy the solar panels. Remember, the budget excludes the cost of wiring, charge controller, battery bank, power inverters etc.

The number above looks quite high and most home owners will shy away from using solar energy to supplement their energy needs. Don’t worry, the government is willing to give you a helping hand.

In my next post, I’ll share with you how government rebates and credits will help you to reduce your home solar power project cost.

DIY Home Solar Power Guide

Do you want to know how to get started on building your own DIY home solar power system? If you do, check out Micheal Harvey’s Earth4Energy guide book. The manual comes with pdf files and step by step High Definition (HD) instructional videos. Click on the link below for more information.

==> Click here to visit Earth4Energy now!

The effectiveness of your residential solar system is limited by the size of the power inverter and the battery bank. If you need more power, you have to get a bigger inverter and add more battery units.

There is another way you can use solar power to reduce your home energy consumption. It is by using a solar powered ventilation fan.

One of the top solar ventilation fans available in the market is from Natural Light. I’ve located one from Amazon.com and decided to do a quick review about it.

The attic fan from Natural Light is made from one piece heavy gauge stamped aluminum body with no seams. This is great because it reduces the chance of water leakage during raining days.

The heart of the entire unit, the DC motor is powered by a 10 watt Photovoltaic (PV) panel from BP Solar. The solar panel can be adjusted from flat up to 45 degree to get the best angle to receive sun light. If needed, it can also be detached and mounted remotely to get the optimum sun expose.

The solar attic fan is capable of moving up to 850 cubic feet of air per minute. For every 1200 square feet of attic space, you will need to install 1 attic fan.

Size wise, the unit is 27.2 x 27.2 x 11.5 inches and weighs 45 pound. Natural Lights also offers 25 years manufacturer warranty on the attic fan housing, solar panel and the fan motor. The system is guaranteed to last a long time!

The entire kit is selling at $337.00 from Amazon.com. To purchase the attic fan, click here.

Homemade Solar Power System

One way of reducing the cost of a home solar power system is to build it via a Do It Yourself (DIY) approach. However, before you begin the project, it is best you acquire some knowledge on electrical wiring and solar technology.

If you are looking for a good home solar system guide, check out Ben Ford’s Homemade Energy Guide e-book. It comes with comprehensive information bundled with step by step High Definition (HD) instructional videos. For more information, read the review of Homemade Energy Guide in this blog.

There are actually 2 e-books that come together in the Power4Home program. One is on residential solar power system and another one is on home wind generator.

Let’s take the solar guide as an example. To reduce your home electricity bill, John Russel suggests you use free energy from the sun. However, getting a professional solar contractor to setup the system can be very expensive. If you are planning to power your entire home with solar power, by prepared to invest upwards of $40,000.

A cheaper alternative is to build your own home solar system. A DIY system will not be able to provide sufficient electricity for your entire home. Nonetheless, it can be used to power most of your home electrical appliances and all of the lighting fixtures.

When you are using less electricity from the power grid, you will see a reduction in your utility bill.

What Power4Home will teach you is the step by step process of making your own solar panel. A typical solar panel is made from 36 pieces of 3” x 6” Photovoltaic (PV) cells. It is capable of generating 18 volts and 75 watts of electricity. The power output is sufficient to charge a 12 volt deep cycle or marine battery.

How much will it cost to make a homemade solar panel? If you were to follow the instructions recommended by John Russel, you can get it done with less than $150.

If you are planning to build a reasonable size residential solar power system on your own, you may need 2 to 3 solar panels. The other key components required for the system are the charge controllers, meter gauges, battery bank and power inverter.

Unfortunately, you can’t make these components on your own. You’ll have to purchase them from your local hardware store. John Russel has provided some recommendation in his guide.

In total, how much would it cost to setup the solar system?

Generally, you will need to invest about $1000 to $1500. The investment cost is much lower compared to a professional system of $40,000!

So does Power 4 Home System works?

The concept of generating electricity from solar cells has already been proven to be feasible. If you have the budget, you can employ a contractor to build the system for you.

If you want to save cost, you can make the solar panel on your own. Power4Home gives you the step by step instruction to do that. If you want to reduce your home electricity bill further, you can always scale up the system by adding more solar array.

==> Click here to visit Power4Home now!

I bought a copy of John Russel Power4Home in April 2009 because I wanted to do some research on home solar power system. The Power4Home web site keeps popping up everything I do a search query on residential solar power system on the search engine. I decided to purchase a copy and see what it has to offer.

Straight off the bat, John Russel mentioned in his web site you can start generating electricity at home for less than $200. That statement is not entirely correct.

Yes, you can start generating electricity from a solar panel with less than $200. In fact, a DIY solar panel can be made with $150.

To make use of the Direct Current (DC) generated by the solar array, you’ll need other solar components such as DC disconnect, meter gauges, circuit breaker, charge controller, deep cycle batteries, power inverter etc.

These components are not cheap. All in all, you will need at least $1000 to $1500 to make a reasonable size home solar power system. The system will be able to power most of your home electrical appliances and all lighting fixtures.

It may not be suitable to power energy hungry devices such as air conditioner unit or refrigerator. For this type of equipment, you will need to draw power from the grid.

So is Power4Home any good?

People who visited John Russel’s web site may get very excited about the prospect of using solar energy to reduce their home energy consumption. However, the budget to set up a complete residential solar system is way off.

There is a positive side to the manual though. The step by step instructional videos to make a DIY solar panel is pretty good. It is professionally done and was recorded in High Definition (HD).

If you are good with hand tool and like to start your own home solar power project, Power4Home will provide you with the information to help you get started.

If you like to see what Power4Home has to offer, click on the link below.

==> Click here to visit Power4Home now!