DIY Eco Energy

Solar & Wind Power Solutions

Water saver hints Posted at 11/25/09 - 04:53 PM

The use and overuse of water is becoming a real concern around the world and you can do your bit.  
For a cheap and easy DIY project in the bathroom, replace your full flush toilet with a low-flow,  this can save as much as 70% of your water usage. Dual-flush cisterns are also great because they control the amount of water being used.  If you don't want to replace the cistern, there are gadgets that fit in the cistern and regulate the float or water level, reducing the flush volume for just a few dollars.  Also, check your water authority as some now offer rebates when water saving measures are used.

 

Author: Greg

About DIY Solar Panels

The interest in renewable energy has been expanding in current years and with the latest economic crunch, its becoming more attractive to homeowners.  The trend has steadily grown as people are more aware of the negative impacts of our lifestyles on the environment and the high costs of household power.

When it comes to taking advantage of solar energy in the average home, there are two main ways to go about it. The first involves purchasing all necessary equipment and having it installed by professionals. The second involves building DIY Solar Panels.
If you are serious about saving serious money on your energy bill then you need to take a look at this step-by-step solar guide.
Taking the DIY route takes a commitment - but is something that is well within the reach of anyone with average skills and motivation to build something on your own that will result in both short term and long term savings.

Commercial photovoltaic solar panels are very efficient but are unfortunately quite expensive, however, prices are falling as technology improves.  The cost may put them out of reach to those on average incomes.  The issue arises from the fact that the things you need to turn sunlight into electricity such as solar panels, inverters and others items for the collection and conversion of this sunlight to energy are not cheap. However, (do it yourself) DIY solar PV panels, if assembled properly, represent a much cheaper alternative.

All solar panels are require solar cells or photovoltaic cells(PV's). A solar cell is a device that converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.  To give you an idea, a solar cell is made of crystalline silicon.  However, the most new generation cells use cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide, amorphous silicon and micromorphous silicon.  These materials are applied in a thin film to a supporting substrate such as glass or ceramic, reducing material mass and therefore costs.

To build a DIY solar panel array is within the grasp of the average handyman type person.  The materials and equipment needed are widely available and quite affordable. Most items are easily obtainable at local hardware stores or online at say eBay.  Depending on the model and size of the panels you are looking to make, there may be some extra work or tools needed, but in general it’s all quite standard handyman stuff.

All you  need to know is that, all these solar cells are readily available.
Many DIY builders of solar panels chose purchase the cells online. It stands to reason that the DIY approach will be more affordable and more rewarding.

Today, there is an enormous amount of information about DIY solar panels available by searching the internet. Before you begin, it pays to research others experiences and make an informed decision about the option that best suites their situation. As public interest grows in "going green" and having some control over living expenses, there is now a wide range of information, products and materials available online.

While it is not a difficult project, it is very easy to be overwhelmed or simply loose interest when things are poorly explained.  A comprehensive and organized guide is necessary for the average person to complete the project.  If you are looking to build a quality installation for your home, you can’t go far wrong by picking an well known DIY Solar Panels guide. These guides typically cover every step of the building and connection process. They are normally fully documented with images and videos, and in most cases, will offer technical support and importantly a money back guarantee.  So what are you waiting for? Get ready to harvest the sun.
 
If you want some control over your electricity bills, then I suggest you check out this  Solar and Wind power guide   This  guide is regularly updated and includes easy to follow step-by-step instructions, is fully illustrated with Bonus Video Lessons and comes with a money back guarantee.