Cheap Solar Power
Strategies to keep your solar power cost at a minimum.
Solar power doesn't have to be expensive. Here you'll find lots of tips for keeping solar power cost factors from running the show. |
If you're looking for cheap solar power here are some things you can do:
- Start by reducing your power needs . The less power you need in the first place the less expensive a solar power system will be.
- Do It Yourself projects abound on the world wide web. Check blogs and reviews for information on how happy others have been with the project. Here's one of our favourites.
- Look for used solar panels.
- Use the free stuff. Passive solar energy is free for the taking with just a few changes around your home and property.
- Solar ovens are a great way to beat the solar power cost crunch. Use the sun to cook your meals. at home or at the cabin.
- Install a solar powered water heater. Inexpensive solar power starts with the low tech options like flat plate collectors that pay for themselves in 5 to 7 years and reduce your heating bill by 30 to 50 %. Water heaters are a great way to start with solar without the large capital outlay that a photovoltaic system requires.
- Wait for the latest technology to hit the retail market. There's been great news in the solar industry from 2 companies (Nanosolar and First Solar) who have developed and refined some long awaited improvements in the solar manufacturing circle. Cheap solar power already exists and can be basically rolled off a printing press at a rate more than 10 times faster than traditional manufacturing methods AND collects a spectrum of light that the old solar panels can't. Expect to see more about this in 2009.
Remember that the cost of the panels represents only about half of your total solar power cost. After that you must factor in an inverter (to change the power to the commonly used 110V), deep cycle batteries (if you need them), a charge controller and various wires and hardware as well as the cost of installation. All of which add to the overall photovoltaic cost.
When you're looking for cheap solar power look at saving money on all of the various components by checking classified ads, swap meets, ebay, business liquidation companies, etc. Ensure that all of your components are compatible with one another.
Cheap solar power is NOT cheap if you spend a lot of time and even a small amount of money and end up with nothing more than a headache. If you're going to cut corners do it wisely.
If you know nothing about installing solar panels and nor do your friends, then it'll likely be cheaper in the long run to hire an expert. It's a highly skilled job and experts have the tools and the know-how to do it right in a short period of time.
