| Getting enough solar power to power your whole | | | | $300. |
| home can be an expensive project. It's not unusual | | | | You can link together your solar panels. So for |
| for homeowners to pay $20,000 or more to outfit | | | | example, if you build a panel that builds 60 W of |
| their home with solar power. In general, people who | | | | energy, you can link this with two more similar panels |
| invest in huge solar panel systems will take 20 years | | | | and generate 180 W of energy. |
| to see their investment repaid by their electricity | | | | Batteries: The next component is the battery where |
| savings. | | | | you will store your solar power for later use. There |
| But there are many affordable solar power options | | | | are a few options you can choose here. One option |
| that will offer a better value to homeowners. For a | | | | is to get regular, 12-volt batteries (get at least two). |
| lot of money, you can power your entire house with | | | | The cheap end of these batteries will be around $60; |
| solar power, but for just a little money, you can | | | | high end batteries can cost as much as double that. |
| power part of your home. Here's a look at a more | | | | Alternatively, get some 6-volt golf cart batteries, |
| affordable solar power options. | | | | which you can pick up for under $50 at a place like |
| Components of Solar Power Projects | | | | Sam's Club. Four batteries hooked in together give |
| The Solar Panel: This is the heart of any solar power | | | | enough energy to power a tiny home or a couple of |
| system. There are two ways to get affordable solar | | | | rooms in a bigger home. Golf cart batteries will last |
| panels. If you are a little handy, you can make the | | | | anywhere from two to seven years if they are |
| solar panels yourself. This will require you to buy the | | | | properly cared for. |
| photovoltaic solar cells themselves - you can get | | | | Charge Controller: Charge controllers are necessary to |
| these from eBay and many other places around the | | | | "even out" the power coming from the battery. |
| web. You can buy damaged cells for less money, but | | | | Charge controllers will determine how efficiently your |
| these cells are not always guaranteed to work, and | | | | solar system will run. The best charge controllers are |
| at the very least they will output less energy. A quick | | | | called MPPT or Maximum Power Point Tracking. They |
| spin around eBay shows going prices for solar cells to | | | | are the best, but they are also the most expensive. |
| be about $25 for a handful of cells, up to $200 for a | | | | A standard 6-amp charge controller is able to handle |
| complete group of cells plus wires. Even after you | | | | about three 32 W panels, or 96 W total. |
| add in the cost of additional hardware (2 x 4s, | | | | A good charge controller for a home solar system is |
| Plexiglas, etc.), it is still cheaper to build your own | | | | a Morningstar 6-amp charge controller. This will cost |
| solar panel than to buy one - by far. | | | | you about $40, and you only need one. |
| If you decide to build your own solar panels, I would | | | | Inverter: In addition to controlling the charge coming |
| highly recommend you get a guide to help you. Two | | | | from the battery, you also need an inverter, which |
| well-reputed solar DIY guides on the internet are | | | | changes the charge from DC (direct current) power |
| Green DIY Energy and Home Made Energy. (Don't be | | | | to AC (alternating current). In the United States, |
| scared by their cruddy sales-style websites.) These | | | | appliances use AC power, from lamps and fridges to |
| do-it-yourself panels generate anywhere from 60 W | | | | laptops and stereos. A standard inverter will cost |
| - 120 W of energy. Total cost including hardware and | | | | about $40 - $70. |
| materials should be less than $200. For the price, this | | | | Final Price Tag |
| is the very best deal around. | | | | The final price tag for an affordable solar power |
| However, if you don't want to take the time to buy | | | | system such as the one described above is less then |
| a DIY guide and decide to save time and effort by | | | | $600. If you build your own solar panels, you can |
| buying a commercial-grade solar panel, it will cost you | | | | reduce the final cost of your solar system, while |
| a lot more. The price for a 75 W panel will run about | | | | simultaneously getting more solar bang for your buck. |