| If you're handy with tools and the idea of | | | | that includes panels and all the components you |
| spending time on the roof doesn't scare you, you | | | | need for a solar power home will save you time |
| can save thousands by installing your own solar | | | | and effort. |
| kits system to create a solar powered home. | | | | The kit will include a digital charge controller and |
| Your best bet is a large area of south-facing roof | | | | watt converter, mounting brackets for the solar |
| space where the solar panels can be installed to | | | | panels, a voltage tester, and wiring. Typically, the |
| receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. | | | | extras will cost another $5,000, so the price tag |
| The tall, leafy trees you depend on to provide | | | | on a total do-it-yourself solar power home will be |
| summer shade and buffer wind and rain can't be | | | | about $20,000. Having a professional installer will |
| in the way. No sun = no power. | | | | more than double the cost, but keep in mind the |
| An array of how-to manuals and e-books are | | | | federal government is offering a 30 percent tax |
| available and should be your first purchase. Do | | | | credit for whatever you spend through 2016, and |
| some Web surfing, you can find a good guide for | | | | you're more likely to get your credit if your |
| under $50 or at least in that price range. If you | | | | system is installed by a licensed contractor. The |
| want to generate enough solar electricity to | | | | same goes for incentives being offered by many |
| power an entire home, the practical choice is to | | | | states. And certainly, you don't want your town's |
| make sure as many large appliances as possible | | | | building inspector knocking at your door, so take |
| run on gas. Those can include the water heater, | | | | all these things into consideration before heading |
| stove, and clothes dryer, three big energy drains | | | | up the ladder. |
| that can require more power than your solar | | | | Most solar power homes are integrated into the |
| power home system can produce. Why not | | | | area power grid, which means you don't have to |
| consider solar kits and do it yourself. | | | | store the power your system generates. Your |
| Taking those appliances out of the equation, the | | | | local power company will install a net meter that |
| average size home will require more than 300 | | | | allows you to sell your excess energy (during that |
| square feet of solar panels, at a cost of about | | | | vacation trip) and draw on the reserve sometime |
| $15,000. | | | | in the future. Go to dsireusa.org to see if you are |
| The solar panels are going to be the costliest part | | | | in one of the 41 states that offer net metering. |
| of the project, but the more you buy, the | | | | While you're there, check out the solar kits local |
| cheaper they are. While some people even go so | | | | incentives offered to create a solar power home. |
| far as building their own panels, purchasing a kit | | | | |