Solar Power at Home... Naturally

Solar Power for Homes...
and homes away from home.

Solar Power at Home brings you information on establishing solar power for homes in urban or remote locations. From a whole home solar system to solar landscape lights; savvy, cost saving strategies for using alternative energy.

Catch Some Rays

solar power at home

Over the years we've waded through a lot of technical talk as we completely outfitted our living quarters with solar energy.

It happens that our living quarters are aboard a 41 foot sailboat for the time being.

Using solar energy has been a balancing act between practicing some basic energy conservation techniques and harvesting enough energy to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Simple explanations provide information regarding passive, thermal, photovoltaic and thin film methods of collecting solar energy.

Don't speak geek?

No problem You won't need a science major to learn and share information about solar energy and the best ways to use it.

Along with our pages on solar energy history , how solar power works and interesting facts about solar energy , we'll take an honest look at the cost of solar and realistic techniques for keeping those costs down.

There's more than one way to use solar energy and not all of them are expensive. A surprising amount of your household energy needs can be provided by the sun without mounting a single photovoltaic cell (solar panel cell).

Select links below that are relevant to your needs.

Solar News
Come to this page for the scoop on what's happening in the solar power arena, whether it's new discoveries, subsidies or innovative uses. We'll keep you posted.
Solar Investments
Investing in solar power at home without buying solar panels. Here are some available solar stocks and mutual funds.
Solar Energy History
There's nothing new about using solar power at home. Here's the story on solar's growth into a respected alternative energy.
How Solar Power Works
Simple explanations on photovoltaics for the non techie.
Advantages
The many advantages of using solar power at home.
Disadvantages
Yes there are disadvantages and some of them may be a surprise to you
Energy Conservation Tips
(or how to save money) Some pain free suggestions for reducing your energy costs.
Solar Power Water Heater
Cost effective methods of heating household and pool water.
Outdoor Solar Powered Lighting
Beautify your outdoor spaces and make your yard more secure.
Cost of Solar Energy
Really... how much will it cost me?
Residential Solar Power Systems
What's a grid tied system? What do I require for an off grid system? Which one is right for me? It's all here.
Portable Solar Power System
Take it anywhere! There are even roll up units that tenters and backpackers can use.
Solar Boats or RV's
The further you go into the boonies the more sense solar power makes. During winter months we live on a sailboat and use solar power extensively. While sipping a cold cocktail (with ice cubes) and listening to our favourite tunes we toast the silent solar panels that make these things possible in some of the most remote places on the planet.
Cool "Sun Run" Products
Solar powered calculators and garden lighting have led the way to an amazing array of products that are run by sun power, well made and are reasonably priced.
Photovoltaic Panels
Cooking With Solar
Solar ovens can be used in your back yard or at your wilderness getaway. Make refreshing and delicious sun tea in a jar.
Passive Solar Power
Free heat and hot water anyone?
Solar Powered Cars
They're coming...
Deep Cycle Batteries
If you're considering an independent system or blackout protection you'll need deep cycle batteries to store the energy for when you need it.
Inverters
To use Solar Power at Home, the energy collected (12V or DC) needs to be converted to 110 or AC. That's where an inverter comes in.
Solar Swimming Pool
An excellent way to reduce your power bill and grid demands is to heat and filter your swimming pool using solar power.

Perhaps using solar power at home is the answer to the age old question, "What can I do about the environment"?

What about those cloudy days?

Although sun panels collect an optimum amount of power when the sun shines brightly they still work on cloudy days at a reduced level.

The deeper the cloud cover and the longer it lasts the less power the panels will generate.

Will they collect moonshine - er - rather, moonlight?

No, but sometimes, during the full phase of the moon, we've noticed a blip on our monitor.

The following words were uttered by Theodore Roosevelt more than 100 years ago:

"We have become great because of the lavish use of our resources and we have just reason to be proud of our growth. But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are exhausted, when the soils shall have still further impoverished and washed into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields, and obstructing navigation.

The natural resources I have enumerated can be divided into two sharply distinguished classes accordingly as they are or are not capable of renewal.

The minerals do not renew themselves. Therefore in dealing with the coal, the oil, the iron, metals generally, all that we can do is try to see that they are wisely used. The exhaustion is certain to come in time."

Theodore Roosevelt

As I'm writing this, the radio is announcing a power outage in Victoria. Solar power users in the area probably haven't even noticed.

Choosing Solar Power at Home for the future, gives us more power over our lives at the same time as it powers our homes.

Independence from unstable fuel prices, security in blackouts and environmental sustainability are no small rewards for utilizing a resource that is available for the collecting.