Financial pressure has now meant that DIY energy is no longer a weekend hobby, or a method used by those living in remote areas to provide energy solutions. The average person is now turning Do-It-Yourself Solar into a growth industry.
Quite a few have adopted these do-it-yourself energy initiatives as a means to protect against rising energy prices. And for this reason my advice, to you personally, is take a look at the DIY electrical energy market as a further option in these challenging times.
You'll get the best return on investment relatively quick going the DIY electricity route. Rising costs have meant that a lot of folks have in fact little choice but to explore those DIY power projects that can easily be done at home.
Alternatively, you could employ the services an expert to do the job for you, although the costs from these 'dedicated companies' can run upwards of ten thousand dollars, making your return on investment in the short term an unworkable proposition.
Ultimately, many major consumer opinions have shown that the final decision on the energy issue boils down to expenditure, ranking somewhat above the need to address ecological conflicts (which is an whole new issue in itself).
Advancements of PV technology has brought us to the phase whereby it's now possible to obtain do-it-yourself energy kits (both self- and ready-assembled) to make solar powered energy, either on the roof or at some other convenient spot around your property.
We have then, three options:
1. The more economic route of building you own solar panel from scratch.
2. Buying ready-made solar panels and installing them yourself. Still fairly economical and labor-saving.
3. Employing a company to do all the work for you but requires a substantial capital investment.
These are just some examples of how to create your own domestic energy plant.
Taking a closer look as feasibility.
Firstly, it's possible to generate around 1,000 to 1,100 volts of electricity once your solar panels are ideally placed for optimum daylight.
You should take into account the practicalities of having some sort of a self-sufficient power generator at home. There are many 'build your own' projects available or if you prefer, opportunities to buy ready-made solar panels online - should you choose to investigate this specific marketplace. Alternatively, you can also obtain instruction manuals at a nearby bookstore.
For as little as two hundred dollars you can assemble your own, which will typically take a couple of days to do. Keep in mind that several panels maybe required and this will largely depend upon your energy consumption together with the floor space of your property.
If you choose to buy a ready assembled unit you'll find that these types of solar panels are becoming less and less expensive because of mass production in many places around the world like, China for example - and even in North America. A decent ready-assembled solar panel will cost you around $400-500.
In the event that neither of the above options appeal to you and you prefer to relax in your spare time, there are numerous companies that produce cost-effective and more up-to-date photo voltaic panels who will come and install everything for you. Some are using the ultra-modern light-weight panels that are proving fairly cost effective too.
Don't forget that if you live in an area more prone to wind gusts than sunshine then solar energy technology may not be the most suitable option for you. Something else you can make use of comes in the form of rotary blades and a transformer (otherwise known as a windmill) which harnesses the wind and converts it to energy. Wind, as a power source continues to be championed in many states throughout the USA by means of legislative actions.
Wind power has a lengthy history going back as far as the old style windmills which we can still observe today in countries such as the Netherlands.
There is no escaping the fact that installing solar energy within your home will cost you both money and time in varying amounts. How much of each will depend upon the route you choose. Be assured though that whichever one you take will be worthwhile in the long term.
My attention recently has shifted back to alternative energies due to advancements in both its technology and commercial enterprise. We are entering, as I see it, a period of shifting economic balances.
Alternative and fossil fuel energies each play a significant role and I will be reporting more on this topic over the coming weeks.