Building a Solar Powered Home

There are a variety of ways to power your abode and conserve on  electricity. However, many of the choices come to thousands of dollars. What if you can't afford the cost?

The number one rationalization to why more of us aren't building a solar powered home is because we believe the prices are too high. We start thinking about haggling with contractors for the best deal (usually ending up with a price we still can not afford without handing over an arm and a leg) followed by days of noisy construction headaches. The truth is, you can in fact make your own solar panels for as little as $200. This small investment will save you hundreds of dollars.

Getting Started

If you decide on solar panels as a way to go green, the first thing you will need on your quest to building a solar powered home, is materials. You should be able to find almost everything you need at a hardware store.

You might be familiar with copper flashing, which is available at most hardware stores. You heat some of the copper flashing for up to half an hour. Then put the oxidized panels together with the untreated copper flashing. Finally, add a salt water solution to the copper flashing, then enclose it in a durable glass panel. The wiring and mounting components are added after you have the panel put together. 

Finding the Best Location

Space is also a big consideration. For solar panels to function properly, they must get enough sunlight. Solar panels are normally installed facing south. This provides them with the greatest amount of sunlight during the day. The usual place to put solar panels, would be on the roof, but they can also be installed in the yard, as long as there is enough room.

How Much Is Enough?

The last thing to do before beginning, is deciding how much electricity you want to produce. When you know how much power you need, you can then estimate how many panels you will need to make. If you made enough solar panels, you may not have to worry about paying an electric bill ever again.

In the end it comes down to how much work you are willing to do, if you are willing to research what you need for building a solar powered home, and what you are willing to pay.