If You Can Build Your Own Solar Panel – Do It!




If you have a plan to build your own solar panel, just try at it. It is easy to build a solar panel in your own home, garage or backyard. Prior to building a solar panel you have to set up own electrical power at the house. This should be followed by a detailed study on assembling a good solar panel at a reasonable cost.

A solar panel can be built from solar cells at a lower cost than buying a major one from any supplier. It is not good to search for a renovated one because of the poor quality likely in many cases. It is simple to build a 12v solar panel, so long as you have a clear idea about what to do to get it right.

There are a few steps to get engaged for this. Your work will depend upon your knowledge on the working of a solar panel, the benefits you derive and all other information relevant and helpful.

There is no need to feel concerned about the difficulties posed in building a solar panel domestically. It is comparatively easy to do it in the comforts of your home, at an unimaginably low cost.

For assembling a solar panel, the solar cells are to be built initially. Solar cells are to be wired in unison by which photovoltaic solar panels can be formed. If you generate your own solar cells, you can save money with less expense. Usually, the commercial solar panels in the market would cost thousands of dollars. This is why you could save thousands of dollars if you build your own solar panel.

You can find that an average house hold spends about 200 dollars towards monthly energy charges. Surprisingly you will find that for building a solar panel at home you will have to spend much less than this amount!

Another advantage is that a solar panel can be built with the parts that can be easily bought from any local hardware store. Production of the solar cell is the first step in the direction of assembling a solar panel. As everybody is aware, green energy is a much sought after one in the present context of concern about the environment.



Solar energy belonging to that category is not only cheap, but is clean and everything is your own with no restrictions. Living green helps you lead a life without causing atmospheric pollution. Your environment and the surroundings will be much benefitted and you will be able to save a lot of money that you otherwise spend on energy charges.

The electricity that you produce will be more than sufficient to meet your needs and you will be relieved from energy charges to the companies. Think well of the electrical appliances which are most useful for your new home. ZSW researchers opine that the productivity of moderately low-valued thin-film solar modules will increase from 11% to 15% in the years to come.

In these days of rising costs, this is the right time to start controlling your expenses .You can do this by building a solar panel and producing electricity at your own level.

Now That You Installed A Home Solar System – What’s Next?




If your home is solar powered, your house is called “net metering” – this means that you can sell the power that you produce to your local electric company. Different electric companies have different rules to pay the customer back. It may credit the amount monthly in your account or may pay you by check.

The rate at which the companies sell back the electricity also varies from company to company. Check it out at your local electricity company to find out what they can offer you for getting your house solar powered.

PNM is a customer friendly solar power company in New Mexico. They buy the excess power generated by a solar powered house at an unbelievable rate of $0.13/kWh. With the average electricity cost of $0.0935/kWh in the area, the rate offered by PNM is undoubtedly very lucrative and hence PNM is considered as one of the best electric companies in New Mexico. They actually buy the solar energy at a higher rate than the rate at which they sell electricity to their consumers.

Pacific Gas and Electric is a part of California Solar Initiative. California Solar Initiative encourages people to have solar powered homes and small businesses by offering them monetary incentives. Under different schemes offered, they can also help their customers by making the initial payment while installing the new solar power system.

Pacific Gas and Electric, an associate of California Solar Initiative has huge network of more than 25000 homes connected to their solar energy grid. They run a program solely dedicated to help customers in Northern and Southern California to turn their home solar powered by finding solar power providers and installers for them.

Austin Energy offers loan to customers who want to install solar power for their homes so that there is no initial investment. They also offer discount to their customers and buy back any excess energy produced by their solar system.



The Arizona Public Service Utilities also buys back the excess energy produced by their customers at a very good rate. But if you really want gain from your solar energy system, you must do some good research.

DSIRE has a huge state wise database which will be very helpful to find out the best deals. Visit the website of your electric company, to find out if they have any offer that is not listed in the database of DSIRE. Every electric company has got some local rules that you have to abide by while installing a solar power system.

First, you need to get a permit. Once you have got the permit, you have to register yourself as a net-metering location in your local electric company’s grid. This is quite a simple process, but is a must before you install your solar power system. After the installation is complete, representatives from the electric company will come and check the installation. Then they will decide whether your system is safe to be added to their grid.

An improperly installed solar system can prove to be hazardous as it can pump electricity to dead wires in the grid and may lead to serious injury or even death of the workers while doing the maintenance work. Being a member of the net metering club not only gives you the benefit in terms of monthly credit to your electric bill, or even a payback check, but also a great mental satisfaction, as you know that you are contributing towards a cleaner and pollution free earth.

Understanding The Solar Tax Credit In The United States




While considering alternative sources of energy such as solar power, it might be helpful to know that users of solar energy at homes and business premises are entitled to certain rebates. Majority of governments offer such rebates for consumers of solar be it for home or a business premise.

The rate of Photovoltaic (PV) power rebate being offered however varies from one state to the other. Since year 2009 the US government has implemented a no-limit tax credit for installation of any type of energy system that is renewable. The tax credit is applicable more so for those individuals who are considering this option for their homes.

Prior to 2009 the tax rebate on installation of renewable energy system was restricted to 30% of the total installation cost or $2000 whichever was lesser. However with the implementation of the new law on unlimited tax rebate, an individual is entitled to 30% of the total cost of installation of a solar system without the cap of $2000.

Residents of Arizona State using solar energy systems enjoy a double bonanza by availing the tax credit offered by the Federal Government and also by availing a rebate on solar energy installation from the state of residence as well. As for the State of California, its attractive features in its tax rebate are truly motivating for prospective users of solar energy.

The program has been classified into two types, one intended for the installation in newly-constructed building structures while the other is meant for pre-existing building structures. The initiative named as California Solar Initiative (CSI) Program is well structured and aims at producing solar power of over 3000 watts within the next few years ending 2017.

In Colorado, the promise of rebates being offered by power companies are indeed significant and if one were to compare these rebates with those from other states then Colorado is one among the best. The offers are consumer-oriented and motivate people to consider the solar power option.

A user not only earns $2 for every watt at the time of installation but also gets much more via a certificate on renewable energy by which the user is able to enjoy further benefit of $1.50 for every watt. No wonder then that there are plenty of households there that install the PV system especially those homes that receive ample sunlight.

For the state of Florida the solar energy scheme was introduced way back in 2006 and since then users of solar energy systems have been on the rise. The systems include a host of solar equipment for heating water, pools and various other lighting devices. For installation of such solar systems certain guidelines would have to be adhered to not just by the house owner but also by the company engaged in installation.



As for benefits received, the user of solar power system is entitled to approximately $4 for every watt. If one were to look at solar energy rebate policy in Massachusetts State here also the rebates on PV energy are no less lucrative from a consumer’s point of view. However the terms and conditions slightly vary as it is an overall organization known as The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust that oversees the rebates on solar energy for users.

The upper limit of rebate being offered is a massive $20,000 and the calculation of rebate is based on the personal income of the consumer as well as the property in concern. The average rates applicable for a moderately priced home is $2 per kilowatt with an additional $1.25 rebate offered for the consumer earning a moderate income.

Any extra energy generated from solar systems that enjoy maximum rebates are usually linked with the local source of solar power grid in order to better utilize any extra energy being generated. Thus homes located in areas with bright and high sunlight benefit a great deal by doing this as their solar energy bills are usually minimal.

However in connection to a solar power grid does not work out, the other option would be to make use of the extra PV energy by charging batteries which may then be utilized on a rainy day.