The average homeowner has plenty of bills to pay just to cover essential utilities, such as water and electricity. Added to this are the bills for home phone, Internet access, cell phone bills, and the list goes on. A person working at an average job will most be able to cover his bills, but will have very little left over for future savings, recreation, or even larger dreams.
One things you can do to lower your monthly utility bills, without changing your lifestyle heavily, is to start saving on electricity by using alternatives energy sources – such as solar and wind power.
But it doesn’t help too much if the only way to take advantage of these alternatives is to spend thousands of dollars on home solar power systems and their installation costs. A more financially realistic option is to build your own alternative energy system for your home.
You do not have to be a professional electrician or have highly advanced technological skills in order to do this. There are several popular DIY wind and solar power guides which give you step-by-step instructions on how to set up these systems for your home. Here is a basic overview of some of the more popular guides on the market.
Earth 4 Energy is one of the best-selling DIY Wind and Solar Power guides. It focuses not only on energy alternatives, but also on methods of storing the energy for future use.
This package is unique from others in that it includes video tutorials on how to build both solar and wind power systems. It also a software application which helps in the building process. Unlimited free updates are given to all anyone who buys the Earth 4 Energy package.
A summary of what this package includes is the following:
- How to build your own solar power system for as little as $200, using parts you can find at the local hardware store. This solar power system is stated to be able to power any appliance you have in your home: washing machine, refrigerator, computer, TVs, lights, etc. The device is also portable, and can be brought on camping trips when needed.
- How to build your own wind power system – again, with items that can be obtained from the local hardware store. The windmill you will create is said to be of professional quality, and in fact, some Earth 4 Energy members have been building and selling these systems for a profit.
- How to store your energy – How to get high-quality deep cycle batteries for storing the energy produced by your alternative energy system, as well as how to get these batteries for free.
The video series itself is broken down into three modules:
- How to tab your own solar cells
- How to string your solar cells together properly, to obtain maximum power.
- A 15-minute step-by-step video on how to make your own high-quality windmill blades.
When you order this package you receive the Earth 4 Energy manual in PDF format, the video series in flash format, and instant access to all plans and instructions you need to begin making your own electricity at home. Additionally, you obtain a lifetime membership, which entitles you to free updates for life. When the manual is upgraded, and when future videos are produced, you will have free access to them.
Considering the content of this package, the cost remains relatively low, and its understandable why this seems to be the best-selling package of this type. For more information, please visit the official website here.
Free Energy Options is focused on reducing dependency on conventional power sources, not only to save money, but also to help clean up the environment. If you decide to purchase this package, you will receive an eBook with step-by-step instructions, and the information you need in order to build your own home solar power generator, as well as a professional-grade windmill. Some of the information and features included in the package are:
- Complete step-by step instructions on how to to build a professional grade 1000-watt windmill, using material which is easy to find
- Detailed diagrams and instructions
- Maintenance and legal information about your new power systems which can help you keep your equipment running for years to come.
- Tips on how to save money on gas and electricity.
- How to locate the best deals on top-quality materials and parts – either inexpensively, or in some cases, for free.
- Blueprints and diagrams for both the wind generator and the solar power generator
- Additional configurations for maximum flexibility.
Some of the extras that come with the package include useful tips on how to save money on electricity and gas, as well as how to maintain the custom-made generators you will create. You will also have resources on where to find the materials you need – making this package pretty complete. For more information please visit the official website here.
DIY Power System builds on the concept that commercial solar and wind devices should never be bought, as they are just too expensive. The first two components of the DIY Power System show you how to build a wind and solar energy generator, and include diagrams to help people who are unfamiliar with this subject – even people who have never tried any DIY projects at all.
In total, the DIY Power System includes five components, which teach you:
- How to build your own solar generator – exact steps and diagrams on how to build your own solar generator for under $200.
- How to build your own wind generator – instructions and blueprints on how to build your own wind generator.
- How to build your their own batteries, which can store extra energy for later, so that you never have to worry about cloudy or windless days.
- How to make your own bio diesel, which you can use to heat your home as well as to run your car.
- And even how to build your own house – if you are on a budget and are considering building your own house, this eBook will teach you how to get free house plans, how to get great advice from professionals when you need it, a little-known source of free lumber, and even how to get windows and doors very inexpensively or even free.
While the DIY Power System does cost more – currently priced at $97, it also does offer more information than some of the other guides. For more information on this guide, please visit the official website.
Energy 2 Green’s objective is to reduce your total electric bill to just $10 a month, with an initial investment of $50 for their system, and around $150 for the materials you need will to build your solar and wind generators.
The package includes the information on how to build both solar panels, and wind turbines. The guide also highlights background information regarding these two devices as well.
Along with the detailed schematics and diagrams, the package also includes tips on how to maintain the devices, where to to buy the materials, energy conservation tips, legal information, and installation instructions. Free updates are also included in this $50 package, along with several undisclosed bonuses. For more information, visit the Energy 2 Green website.
Home Made Energy is an advocate of renewable energy sources and stresses that its users should be able to completely disconnect their homes from the electrical companies and use their own home energy systems instead.
Home Made Energy states that their solar power and wind power guides are fun and easy to follow, and that the end products are durable and portable enough to carry around even on outdoor trips.
The guide includes specific instructions on what type of wind or solar power system you should build (based on the size of your home and your geographical location), and step-by-step instructions and diagrams on how to create these systems for under $200. It also demonstrates methods of earning by building and selling these DIY devices. For more information please visit the Home Made Energy Website.
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While the above packages and products vary in content, all five have a similar purpose – to help you reduce your electricity bills and let you embrace cleaner sources of renewable energy, without having to pay the huge upfront costs and installation fees that come with a commercial solar panel or wind power installation. I hope one of these guides will have the information you need and be of assistance to you.
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saving energy is a good thing and lowering costs even better. as long as these are seperate systems and not connected to the main power. If they are you need to have the whole system looked at by a qualified electrician the same as you would for a power generator.
rgcs last blog post..Electrician Training goes Green
Thank you for your input rgc
I am interested in this. The thing that concerns me is storage. Are batteries really up to it? When I looked into wind power, the best option was to sell it back to the national grid. I didn’t want to do that, I want to have a battery powerful enough to power the entire home, and use wind a solar to charge it.
Will look into this though. Maybe I can use a smaller wind device to power the outside lights.
Thanks
hey, have you talked at all about the dangers of batteries being on the unstable side and ever blowing up? I hear that is one of the main things holding back electric cars these days, that they haven’t passed all the strict guidelines for safety.
palm pre fanboy´s last blog ..How to Take Screenshots (or Screencaptures) on the Palm Pre
@palm pre Hi, regarding the electric cars, that sounds about right. Regarding the DIY wind and solar power projects discussed here, I believe this subject is covered in the manuals as needed. There are plenty of batteries on the market which have been tested.
The dangers of batteries in not really a concern at this point. It has been a concern in the past, however fuel cell technology has developed to such a point that effective fuel cells can now be produced with relatively inert materials, effectively eliminating the dangers of explosion.
In fact fuel cell technology has now developed to such a point where they are looking at ways to create fuel cells powered by glucose, whereas this won’t be used in cars, this can be used in medical devices such as pacemakers, effectively allowing one to make “rechargeable batteries” that can be charged by the human body itself and will last a lifetime.
My wife and I have wanted to learn more about solar power for years now but we did not know where to start. Finding your site is inspiring me to finally take the steps in setting up solar power for our home. Thanks for the great solar power guide advice.
@ jeffwend – thank you, I am glad it can help.
That is awesome, I actually want to get a solar system now that I can get it for like 200 bucks
.-= Anthony
I was thinking about getting some panels for my house but Im not sure the ordinace will allow it. I was watching on the news that one home owener installed panels only to have his neighbors force him to take them down…I guess they were unsightly?
Scott
Scott @ Lift Tables´s last blog ..Lift and Tilt Table
Anna, you have given some excellent information about DIY wind and solar power. This has developed into a multi million business wordlwide. More people are pooled into this but most of them enter without knowing what this is about exactly and what benefits can they obtain. Here in NZ this something yet to bubble up. I am planning to share this with my friends and family so that they can be enlightened. I thank you for your time and patience in creating this wonderful article.
Girish@Car Rental Auckland´s last blog ..Rugby World Cup Car Rentals
@Girish – Thank you very much! I think everyone can and should learn more about this subject.
Nice Article, do you recommend and particular energy guide above the other? I think with the increased interest and awareness about solar energy we will see a massive shift in many consumers turning toward DIY projects as whilst they may not be quite as effective as retail solar systems, they are a lot cheaper, which is a good thing as it will encourage people to get started in producing their own energy.
Cheers
Jon.
DIY Solar Power´s last blog ..Magnets 4 Energy – Magnetic Generator Free Energy
Anna, implementing a solar power plant at home not only reduces the monthly bills, but also generates passive income extra with minimal efforts. This is a win win situation for any household. I am pretty sure one can gain more knowledge if they closely follow your blog. Thanks for your excellent articles,
Rg,
Michael
Great article. I like your review of the resources out there. Do you favor any of the guides over the others?
One thing I find that people overlook is that you can get started in buying home wind power turbines with surprisingly little investment.
Best wishes,
Zac
@Girish Great Article, which of the above would you recommend above the other?
Affliction Clothing´s last blog ..In Stock Now – UK
That’s super informative.. and I think a must with the current prices for renewable energy. Installing solar panels by a professional company is so expensive so a diy method would really help.
Great article Anna. Thank you. I am in India and would like to implement this for my home so I can take it off the grid. You say “… using parts you can find at the local hardware store”. Do you think the parts are common enough to be found in any hardware store worldwide? It will help me decide to invest in the DIY kits.
BTW, I asked around for professional insallers in India and they quoted me $10,000+ for 1KW and that too only with limited battery. Disappointed about that… hopefully one of these kits can help me do it much cheaper.
Are batteries really up to it? When I looked into wind power, the best option was to sell it back to the national grid. I didn’t want to do that, I want to have a battery powerful enough to power the entire home, and use wind a solar to charge it…
As an electrical engineer and solar power consultant, I’ve made a hobby out of making my own homemade solar panels and teaching others how to make solar panels to start their own solar power systems. I too have reviewed most of these guides and can attest to their effectiveness personally. Thanks for helping spread the word and increase the interest.
Before you try to build you own solar/wind power, you need to have the right tools. You need to have the step-by-step process that I explain in this guide. I made it a personal mission to create the best solar panel guide available. I searched the internet for months looking for the best ideas and designs for building solar panels.Step-by-Step pictures, diagrams and schematics show you how everything is done. There is even a Video Library so you can see real solar panels being created. Learn how to take the power your solar panels create and run your household energy needs (controller, batteries, inverter, disconnects, etc). http://www.green-wind-solar.easy-go.biz/
In my line of work I see a lot of people attempt to DIY solar panel installations and have to call me to help them fix it. Although it is a lot cheaper to install by yourself, I would only recommend it if the person has a little bit of electrical knowledge and manual dexterity. I fully encourage everyone to try and do it yourself first but if they are not confident then they should call an electrician to help them
I would never try this project as a DIY. There are some things that you should hire a professional for and this is one of them.
My parents had solar panels on their house when I was growing up. I have been in my house for 2 years now and have been seriously considering solar panels. DIY might be the way to lower the cost and make them even more affordable.
Anna is a webmaster and a writer who educates others on the benefits of nontoxic lifestyles and clean energy. To obtain step-by-step guidance on DIY Solar Power installations, and for more information on how to install a solar power system in your home, please visit her website, at DIY Solar Power.
Anna is a webmaster and a writer who educates others on the benefits of nontoxic lifestyles and clean energy. To obtain step-by-step guidance on DIY Solar Power installations, and for more information on how to install a solar power system in your home, please visit her website, at DIY Solar Power.
[...] These guides often give details on every aspect of the project – from determining the best solar/wind power system to install in your geographical area, to finding your materials inexpensively, to the actual installation of your equipment. Several of these include manuals, instructional videos, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions. More information on these guides can be found at DIY Solar Power. [...]