The main advantage of installing a solar power generator in your home is that you could save $100s off your electricity bill.

Once you have installed your own solar power generator and depending on where your home is situated you could be generating electricity for free

As well as saving you money, solar power generators don’t pollute the environment or add to the depletion of non renewable fossil fuels such as coal.

Buying and installing solar power generators are often perceived as being very expensive, however once you have paid for the cost of installing your solar power generator, any electricity you make will be free.

During the summer months with longer days and more hours of sunshine you may start to produce an excess of solar power. It’s possible that your energy provider will let you sell this electricity back to them. Just imagine receiving a cheque instead of a bill!

Solar power generators are made up of a collection of solar cells joined together in a solar panel. These panels are very simple structures with no mechanical parts to maintain, This means that you won’t need an engineer to visit you for servicing your solar panels.

As the seasons change they may need to be moved to get maximum sunlight, but that is quite a simple procedure.

You may also need to clean your solar panels every couple of weeks to wash off any dirt that may have built up from rainfall or bird droppings. This is essential to ensure that they work at peak performance.

Any solar cells that are covered by dirt won’t work properly and this could greatly reduce the amount of energy produced.

Another advantage of installing a solar power generator in your home is that they may increase the value of your property. This is great a great selling point if you ever decide to move home as many people are looking to save money on their energy bills.

If you don’t like the idea of solar panels on your roof and feel that they would spoil the look of your house, then consider buying solar roof tiles. They blend in with your other tiles and don’t look as noticeable, however you will need a specialist to fit them.

So the advantages of installing a solar power generator are saving money, no need for servicing any parts, and they are environmentally friendly.

Find out how you can install your own solar generator for under $200

Depending on where you live, the position of your roof in relation to the sun, and the amount of weight your roof can stand, mounting solar cells on your roof could prove invaluable in increasing your home’s energy independence. as well as adding value to it.  <!–adsensestart–>

* What are solar cells and how do they work?

Certain materials like gallium arsenide, crystalline and amorphous silicon, and copper indium diselenide produce electricity when they absorb light. This is called the photoelectric effect. Solar cells are typically made of a thin layer of such photosensitive material. Light hitting the solar cells raises the energy level of the electrons within. At an elevated energy state, the electrons are able to escape from their molecules and create an electric current.

* How can you tell if your roof is suitable for the installation of solar cells?

Solar cells work best when exposed to direct sunlight. Ideally, you could put a panel of solar cells on a motorised mount that follows the sun’s path through the sky, but that’s usually not practical for a roof.

The next best thing is a roof mounting where the solar panels are South facing, and have an unobstructed view of the sun. This of course depends on where you live.

You need to take into account how much weight your roof can stand. If it already has several layers of shingles, you probably shouldn’t add solar panels.

There is a new alternative to solar panels called “solar shingles”. These are roof shingles into which solar cells have been added. If your roof needs replacing then consider the idea of solar shingles. You will not only have a new roof but also be adding to the value of your home. You can even buy solar shingles that match the colour of your other roof tiles.

Although solar cells rely on the power of the sun to generate electricity, if the temperature becomes very hot the cells start to become less efficient.

Consider installing a small wind turbine as well as solar cells if you intend to generate all or most of your own electricity. So if you live in a very hot country where day time temperatures can soar, or you live in a country that experiences long dark days in winter you have 2 sources of power and should be able to avoid cuts in your electricity supply.

* How Much does it cost to install a solar power system?

The initial cost of installing solar panels can be high, and it can range from $6,000 for a small supplementary system to $30,000 or more for a large “off-the-grid” system. However once it’s paid for, all your electricity you generate will be free.

Alternatively you can build your own solar panels using materials bought from your local diy store. You can even buy broken solar cells very cheaply and use those instead of buying new ones.

You don’t need to be expert at diy if you follow a simple step by step guide. Click here to find out more…

Most of us fly abroad on foreign holidays, drive our cars, and burn electricity to provide heating and lighting in our homes. This results in CO2 emissions which all contribute towards global warming.

Even breathing emits CO2 gasses! We can’t stop breathing, but we can cut back in some small way individually to reduce our carbon footprint.

There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, some of which are mentioned in this article.

Long haul travel has become very popular over recent years with many families taking at least one foreign holiday a year. You could reduce your carbon footprint by taking holidays locally in your own country as well as foreign breaks.

Driving is essential for most of us, but depending on where you live try walking to the shops occasionally instead of taking the car. It’s not only a good way to reduce your carbon footprint but also good exercise as well.

Keep your car serviced and drive at lower speeds whenever you can to make it more fuel efficient.

If you live in the city, use public transport instead of taking the car to work, or even cycle.  Many towns and cities have bicycle lanes to make cycling safer and quicker. It will save on petrol costs as well as help to reduce your carbon footprint

Just making a few small changes to your lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard, and if everyone made just one small change to their daily life it will make a big difference and help to save the planet!

Rising costs of electricity can make running a home very expensive. Hot summers and cold winters can mean high electricity costs to power air conditioning units and central heating. systems.

One growing trend to help reduce your carbon footprint is to install solar panels in your home. This used to be a very expensive way to go green, but in recent times the cost has reduced. It’s even possible to build your own solar power system for under $200! This can be done using materials purchased from your local DIY store.

There are huge advantages to installing your own solar panels, the main one being the savings you can make on your electricity bills.

If you live in a colder climate make sure that your loft is insulated to help keep the heat in. This could not only save you money but will also help reduce your carbon footprint. Check your windows and doors for draughts as well, to help prevent heat loss.

Reducing your carbon footprint certainly doesn’t mean making big changes to your lifestyle, or giving up essentials.