| Buildings such as homes and offices contribute to | | | | of the solar panels within 5 to10 years. Meanwhile, |
| more than 50% of the world's green house | | | | the use of home solar energy can reduce your |
| gasses. The increase in the consumption of | | | | power bills by over 80% (and sometimes even |
| electricity from unsustainable sources have | | | | eliminate your electricity bills). |
| increased the emission of green house gasses by | | | | Governments and local authorities often offer |
| over two folds in the last few decades alone, | | | | subsidies and tax rebates for the installation of |
| causing drastic changes in weather patterns and | | | | home solar energy systems. Local authorities such |
| global warming. | | | | as the California Solar Initiative offer rebates of |
| As good denizens of this humble little planet, there | | | | up to 30% of the cost of installing the system. If |
| is a host of things that we can do to clean up the | | | | you are living in the US, by installing home solar |
| mess that we have created. For starters, the use | | | | panels, you are also eligible for a $2000 federal |
| of clean and sustainable sources of energy, such | | | | tax credit. |
| as home solar energy, would significantly improve | | | | Another great thing about home solar energy |
| the state of our planet. For example, the effects | | | | systems is that it can turn your utility meter |
| of using a simple 2.5kW home solar energy | | | | backwards. When the panels are producing more |
| system are equivalent to planting an acre of | | | | electricity than you consume, the excess power |
| trees. | | | | flows back in the grid, 'selling' the excess power |
| Thanks to the boom of the green-movement and | | | | back to the utility companies. With the right |
| technological advancements in recent years, going | | | | installation, home solar systems can sometimes |
| green today is not just fashionable and practical, | | | | completely eliminate your power bills immediately |
| but also makes a lot of financial sense. As will be | | | | upon installation. Through this way, some home |
| observed later, the use of home solar energy is | | | | solar energy users reported that they were able |
| not only 'cool' and sustainable, but also extremely | | | | to recuperate the cost of installation in just 3 |
| good for your finances (in reducing, if not | | | | years. |
| eliminating your power bills). | | | | So how do you install home solar panels? If you |
| In the past 5 years alone, utility bills have | | | | have the cash to spare, you can hire someone to |
| increased by over 90% in some parts of the | | | | do it for your where it will cost anything from |
| country, and there seems to be no signs in the | | | | $1000 to $25'000 per installation. |
| reversal of this trend. Like the cost of everything | | | | Alternatively, you can easily build your own home |
| else, power bills are bound to consistently increase | | | | solar energy system. With the right guides and |
| throughout our lifetime. The installation of home | | | | materials, solar panels are moderately easy to |
| solar panels will enable you to produce your own | | | | install. DIY home solar systems are a great way |
| electricity for free. Depending on your home's | | | | to save money as they only cost a fraction of |
| power consumption, you can recuperate the cost | | | | traditional solar installations. |