Outdoor solar energy sources abound, and are becoming more popular. Find out about solar and how to use solar roof panels etc to reduce your energy bills, permanently.

1. THE IPPTS REPORT ON HOME
SOLAR ENERGY
Why Home Solar Energy is a MUST HAVE Money saver
STEVE SYMES
Principal
IPPTS Associates
steve@ippts.com
http://solar-outdoor.co.uk/

2. The IPPTS Report
on Home Solar Energy
How You Can Benefit From Green way energy is used in your home, read
Solar Energy on to get some information that will
assist you in going green.
If you have been thinking of
investing in solar panels for your Introduction
home, either to save you money on
electricity, to make you secure in the You will benefit from reading this, by
knowledge that you energy costs are learning about the following
pegged no matter how much subjects:
electricity prices go up. Or, simply
because you wish not to pollute and #1. What is the Solar Power
emit carbon dioxide and other Opportunity Available to All
pollutants more than necessary in Homeowners? In this article we explain
your own life, you can benefit from the most common uses of solar power,
modern solar power collectors. so that you will appreciate the very
wide scope that exists these days to use
Now I have found that the idea of going solar electricity to your advantage.
green in the home may make many
people scratch their heads. It can be #2. A Deeper Look at Solar Power
rather confusing and maybe a bit and How It Can Help the Average
intimidating; if you are unsure about Homeowner: Before diving further into
what steps can be taken to improve the the vast number of uses for solar
2

3. energy, it is important to have a solid find out about low cost DIY solar power
understanding of solar energy itself. kits.
Solar energy is electricity generated by
the Sun's radiation that is absorbed #4. What You Should Know About
through square material known as Roof-Mounted Solar Cells Before
"solar cells", but that is only the start. Buying: Learn how to harness rooftop
So, read this article for yet more solar energy, reduce your electric bill
essential solar information. and limit the amount of carbon dioxide
you add to the atmosphere each day.
Become aware how, depending on
where you live, your roof's orientation,
and the load your roof can bear,
mounting photovoltaic cells (PVs) on
your roof may or may not be a valuable
investment for you, in increasing your
household's energy independence.
#5. Is Solar Power Really as Green as
#3. How Solar Power Can be a Real You Think It Is? It seems as though
Benefit for Ordinary Homes: Learn with every good thing there is also bad
how electricity from the standard grid side. Solar energy is not perfect. We
suppliers comes from fossil fuels which want you to know about the pitfalls
are being burned. How to address this and the ways in which the sustainability
issue is by using solar power for your of solar panels could be jeopardized by
home, and how federal and state the choice of the wrong manufacturers,
governments are now encouraging so read this to avoid the environmental
many homeowners to utilize solar mistakes.
power by offering grants and loans. We
make the case for solar power now Now you know what we have for you in
being a "must" for most homes. Also, this book. Read on and enjoy your new
3

4. knowledge!
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided #1. What is the Solar Power Opportunity
"as is". The author, publishers and Available to All Homeowners?
marketers of this information disclaim
any loss or liability, either directly or In this article we expla IPPTS
indirectly as a consequence of applying Associatesin the most common uses of
the information presented herein, or in solar power, so that you will apperciate
regard to the use and application of said the very wide scope that exists these
information. No guarantee is given, either days to use solar electricity to your
expressed or implied, in regard to the advantage.
merchantability, accuracy, or
acceptability of the information. If your home has a pool or hot tub, look
into a solar water heating system.
© 2012 by IPPTS Associates . Installing a solar water heating system
costs about the same as a conventional
system, but operating costs for the
system will be much lower. Repair costs
for solar heating systems are often
lower as well.
Remember that solar panels, whether
you install them on your roof or
anywhere else on your property, must
be angled toward the sun to receive
maximum exposure. In the Northern
Hemisphere, this means facing them
south with an angle of latitude plus
fifteen degrees. Otherwise, your
investment will not return as much
4

5. energy as you hope. Use portable solar panels. Small solar
panels are now available for the home,
and some of them are very affordable.
By putting the power of the sun to
work in your home, you will not use as
much electricity to power your devices,
which can save you a good deal of
money.
Consider opting for a solar hot water
heating system. If you must use hot
water to run your dishwasher or do
your laundry, a solar hot water system
can benefit you. If you live in an area
where freezing is not a concern, a direct
circulation system will be perfect for
you.
To reduce your energy consumption
If you are in the process of, or planning and live a greener lifestyle, consider
to, design your own home, you can purchasing a home which already has
build some green energy sources right green amenities. For example, an
into your home from the beginning. increasing number of real estate
Start by looking for land that has a properties offer windmills, solar panels
water source such as a creek or room or other energy saving or green options
for wind turbines. Another good idea is for the socially conscious individual.
to choose a roof with solar panels built Get a jump start on greening your
in. You can even position them to get home by purchasing one which is
the most out of sunlight. already green!
5

6. Green technology is a growing trend generated by the Sun's radiation that is
amongst a lot of people in first world absorbed through square material
countries. A lot of people are realizing known as "solar cells".
at just how much we as humans are
effecting the environment, yet they are
also realizing at just how much we can
contribute and help. There are many
ways you can aid the environment from
doing things like buying an electric car,
changing the light bulbs in your house,
or investing in solar panels for your
home.
To put it simply: the Sun's rays heat up
You should now be more aware of what
solar cells, and the heat's energy is
it takes to make your home a green
converted into electricity to power
one. Use the provided information to
anything from small devices such as
reduce the amount of resources that it
laptop bags to entire buildings.
takes to run your home. You are sure to
appreciate the changes that you have
Four Classes of Solar Energy
made for your lifetime and your
children's.
There are four major styles of solar
energy: direct, indirect, active and
#2. A Deeper Look at Solar Power and
passive.
How It Can Help the Average
Homeowner
Direct solar energy systems convert the
thermal energy once, while indirect
Before diving into the vast number of
systems convert the energy multiple
uses for solar energy, it is important to
times. Active solar means there are
have a solid understanding of solar
mechanical and electrical parts. Passive
energy itself. Solar energy is electricity
6

7. systems do not use any mechanical biggest problem with the energy
parts to convert the energy to technique has been the initial cost.
electricity. However, while silicon is expensive,
people have been recently turning to
"So how does solar energy actually powering their entire house with solar
work?" cells!
There are many methods for capturing Yes, there is a large initial investment,
the power of the Sun's energy, but the but by eliminating your electric bill for
most common devices are the rest of your life, there is a good
"Photovoltaic cells". These are chance you'll recoup the loss. Many
commonly known as solar cell people use solar energy to heat their
semiconductors that produce electricity water (tap, showers, swimming pools,
whenever the external material is etc.) without powering their entire
exposed to heat. The cells also naturally home. This is much cheaper, but it can
store thermal (heat) energy so the still have a positive impact on utility
device the cells are powering can work bills and the environment.
when it is dark as well.
Heat from the Sun is absorbed by the
silicon cells and the energy is stored
and converted for use by the
semiconductor inside the cells.
"How can solar energy help me?"
When solar energy cells were first
There have been many other smaller
introduced in 1941 by Russell Ohl,
uses, too. In 2006, a small electronics
people hardly realized how this simple
company invented a solar cell laptop
invention could change the World. The
7

8. bag that could not only carry your issue is by using solar power for homes.
laptop, but constantly charge it on the Even the federal and state
go! governments are now encouraging
many homeowners to utilize solar
There practically an infinite number of power by offering grants and loans.
possibilities for small devices being Solar power is a must for homes and it
charged with solar energy and is not just for the rich people.
eliminating the need for charging every
night for hours just to get a few hours Are you familiar with DIY solar power
of use. kits? The DIY kits are widely available in
online stores and perhaps in local
As solar cell production costs decrease, stores. All you need to do is shop
more companies will be able to around and find a suitable system that
produce solar-powered devices and can work for your home.
accessories the public can afford. Either
way, solar energy is a reliable, natural Why is the solar power system a must
source of energy that can be used to for homes?
power practically anything, and it won't
run out until the Sun does! As mentioned earlier, the government
is also supporting green energy
#3. How Solar Power Can be a Real through grants and loans. Aside from
Benefit for Ordinary Homes that, there are also incentives. For
instance, if you spend around $20,000
‘Going green’ is the trend these days on system installation, the state
since the world is facing a lot of government will give you a 30% credit.
environmental problems specifically This means that your next tax bill will
global warming. Electricity comes from decrease by 30% of $20,000 which is
fossil fuels which are being burned. The $6,000. The credit can also be extended
emissions contribute a lot to global to the following year as long as the
warming and one way to address this amount is covered fully.
8

9. Once you install the system, it requires
minimum maintenance. Make sure that
you also clean and clear it properly. You
can consult a professional who knows a
great deal about solar power systems
and have yours checked annually. Most
homeowners do little work on their
systems and this is a great advantage.
Sunlight is available for all and since Solar panels are one of the most
fossil fuels are depleting, it is an popular solar power systems used
excellent option. If you install a system today. If blackouts are quite common in
for your home, you will simply need to your area, it would really help a lot if
invest once and after that, you can now you install solar power. That way, even
benefit as long as the system is working if other homes don’t have electricity,
properly. Your electricity bills will surely your home can still have electricity.
be reduced and so you will have Solar panels are reliable as well as the
smaller bills every month. You can use other systems available today. Most
the solar power system for your manufacturers also provide warranty
outdoor lights, garden lights and and so you can expect the solar panels
features, and even for indoor use as to be durable. You won’t hear any noise
long as the inverter is big enough. since the panels are working quietly
while producing the needed energy.
Electrocution cases are rare since the
photovoltaic cells have low amperage
and are very safe. Power is produced
without emissions or fuel combustions.
Most of all, with solar power systems,
9

10. you can help in saving the What are PVs and how do they work?
environment. You can help in
decreasing pollution and the Certain materials like gallium arsenide,
degradation of the environment. The crystalline and amorphous silicon, and
power systems can last for decades copper indium diselenide produce
with proper maintenance and care. If electricity when they absorb light. This
you’re interested to go green, don’t is called the photoelectric effect. Solar
hesitate to install a solar power system cells are typically made of a thin layer of
for your home. This is the best time to such photosensitive material. Light
make a choice – a choice that can have hitting the solar cell raises the energy
a significant impact to the world. After level of the electrons within. At an
installation of the system, you can now elevated energy state, the electrons are
enjoy a continuous supply of green able to escape from their molecules
electricity. and create an electric current.
#4. What You Should Know About How can you tell if your roof is a
Roof-Mounted Solar Cells Before Buying good candidate for solar cell
installation?
Whenever the sun is out, your home's
roof is exposed to solar energy. Why Solar cells work best when exposed to
not harness that energy, reduce your direct sunlight. Ideally, you could put a
electric bill and limit the amount of panel of cells on a motorized mount
carbon dioxide you add to the that follows the sun's path through the
atmosphere each day? Depending on sky, but that's usually not practical for a
where you live, your roof's orientation, roof. The next best thing is a roof
and the load your roof can bear, mounting where the pitch has an
mounting photovoltaic cells (PVs) on unobstructed southern exposure.
your roof could be a valuable Depending on your latitude and the
investment in increasing your angle of your roof's pitch, your PV
household's energy independence. system installer may suggest
10

11. optimizing the angle of your PV What components make up a
modules with an elevated mounting roof-mounted PV system?
rack so that they can catch more light.
You also need to be cognizant of how
much weight your roof can bear. If your
roof already has two layers of shingles,
you probably shouldn't add solar
panels to the load.
An alternative to solar panels is a
relatively new product, "solar shingles".
PV cells output direct current, and can
These are shingles into which PV cells
be connected in series to increase the
have been incorporated. If your roof
output voltage. Though there are
needs to be replaced anyhow, solar
specialized appliances available that
shingles offer the opportunity to kill
run on DC, most PV systems have the
two birds with one stone.
cells send electricity through an
inverter. This converts the solar cells'
Finally, PV cells lose efficiency as the
DC to standard household alternating
temperature rises. In warm climates,
current. The output from the inverter is
you may be better off exploring
then integrated into the house's
alternatives like wind-power. In places
electric system. Smaller systems mostly
like Florida and California, public
just supplement power from the
utilities are bringing solar thermal
electric company, reducing your overall
electric power plants online. Such
bill.
systems, though primarily feasible only
for installations much larger than the
If you install a larger system and make
single-family home, actually turn out to
your home very energy efficient, you
be more efficient and cheaper than PV
may have often had a surplus of
systems when it's hot.
11

12. electricity. You can either store this for utilities charge.
later in on-site batteries, or feed it back
to the electric grid. If you feed your That's the bad news.
surplus back to the grid, the electric
company may actually pay you. This is
called "net metering", and is the law in
more than thirty-five states. It's a good
deal for you, and it's a good deal for the
electric company because your PV
system is most likely to produce surplus
electricity exactly when peak demand
occurs. Your surplus-producing PV
system could actually help avert power
outages. The good news is that there are many
state-sponsored incentive programs for
How much does a PV system cost? solar energy. Take advantage of them,
and you could break even. For
The initial cost of a roof-mounted solar information about these programs, you
array can range from $6,000 for a small should consult the National Database
supplementary system to $30,000 or of State Incentives for Renewable
more for a large "off-the-grid" system. Energy (DSIRE), prepared by the North
The capital cost of such a home-based Carolina Solar Center. The database
PV system is rather abstract, though. It covers incentive programs meant to
would be better to compare what you promote the development of
are currently paying per kilowatt-hour renewable energy.
to an amortized per kilowatt-hour cost
for a PV system. According to the U. S. In addition, the cost of the electricity
Department of Energy, that cost is your PV system produces is insulated
about $0.25 per kilowatt-hour. In most from deregulation, rate-hikes, and
places, this is more than what the inflation, that amortized twenty-five
12

13. cents per kilowatt-hour cost will still be solar energy. The manufacturing
twenty-five cents thirty years from now. process of solar panels uses a large
Who knows what your local electric rate amount of fossil fuels and the cells in
will be? solar panels contain toxic materials
which are not readily recycled.
And there's more good news. By going
solar, you are reducing the amount of Environmentalists are concerned that
coal and natural gas burned at power this new technology will pour
plants, you are reducing the amount of hazardous wastes into or landfills when
carbon dioxide we pump into the these panels start to wear out.
atmosphere, and you are asserting your
energy independence. Standards need to be set today that
deal with the end of life of these solar
Putting solar cells on your roof is an panels. We certainly do not want a
idea whose time has come. whole new industry that continues to
Home-produced solar electricity is pollute our planet.
feasible, makes sense, and is within the
reach of most homeowners. It is critical that this new technology,
which has so much promise for the
#5. Is Solar Power Really as Green as future, be completely green from start
You Think It Is? to finish. We cannot afford to make the
same mistakes that we made with the
It seems as though with every good electronics industry. e-Waste is a major
thing there is a bad side. Such is the the problem around the world. Improper
case with solar energy. Solar energy is disposal of cell phones, computers,
destined to be the next super star in the printers and other electronic waste is
quest for renewable energy. On the filling the landfills with hazardous and
surface solar energy appears to be the toxic materials in a big way. Solar
solution to our world's energy crisis, but energy technology should not take that
what is not obvious is the dark side to same route.
13

14. and suffering from all sorts of diseases
due to the manufacturing practices
used today.
It is critical that as technology
progresses, materials must be used that
do not harm the environment. It is
important to have a disposal plan in
place when these units wear out or are
The solar industry is only in its infancy replaced with new technology.
and accounts for only a minute amount
of the power needed to run this planet. Many manufacturing companies want
This is set to change. The newly elected to "do the right thing", and are working
President of the United States, together to develop ideas on how to
promises to get the country on the recycle solar panels before they
right track to ends its dependency, on become an environmental hazard.
not only foreign oil, but oil all together. These companies do not want to deal
with rules and regulations that may be
The problem with pushing this passed in the future, and are willing to
technology is that countries such as take responsibility for the entire life and
China are using horrific manufacturing death of their products.
practices to supply components for
solar power products. Story after story Some companies have gone so far as to
is being reported about the set up private trust funds to cover the
contamination of the soil, water and air cost of the collection efforts. This will
in China, all from the improper ensure that the panels will be recycled
dumping of toxic chemicals. even if the company goes out of
business.
Low paid workers, many of whom are
children, are dying, developing cancers So make sure that you only buy your
14

15. solar panels from companies that Really as Green as You Think It Is, and
provide solutions to the energy you know about the pitfalls. You
problem and not create environmental understand the ways in which the
hazards. Providing we all ask those sustainability of solar panels could be
questions in our quest for genuinely jeopardized by the choice of the wrong
sustainable renewable energy, we will manufacturers, and this knowledge will
not go far wrong. enable you to avoid the possible
environmental mistakes which others
Summing Up... Let's round this report will possibly make.
off, and remember what we have
learnt... We hope that you really did find that
useful, but it is really only scratching
You now know: the surface of the detailed steps for
energy savings which you could be
What the Solar Power Opportunity tapping into. We suggest that you
Available to All Homeowners is read-on if you want to benefit yet more
from energy saving cash...
You have taken a Deeper Look at Solar
Power and How It Can Help the This report was sponsored by .
Average Homeowner
SPECIAL REPORT:
You have read how Solar Power Can be
a Real Benefit for Ordinary Homes Is It Possible To Stop Paying For
Electricity By Using Solar And Wind
You now know What You Should Know Power That Is Available For FREE?,
About Roof-Mounted Solar Cells Before Without Anyone Else Tricking You Into
Buying Thinking That A Home Energy
Generator Is Expensive... The fact is that
you Could Go "Off Grid", Or Even Have
And, you've become knowledgeable
The Electric Company Pay YOU...?
about to what extent Solar Power
15

16. According to David Knight, a reader of all sorts of magazines that
self-employed home energy expert show people the tech details behind
for the last 8 years, who has made a renewable energy systems. Using tons
large number of renewable systems of books, magazines and instructions I
for clients that wanted to get energy was able to build my own systems and
for free and save a lot of money, and even my home."
owner of the popular :
DIYPowerSystem website the answer
is yes!
"When I started people said that a
Home Energy Generator was too
expensive... they said that I would
not be able to go "Off Grid" but I did
it David Knight, and I continue to do
it for very many clients, he tells us.
Why most people struggle with paying
for energy..
According to David Knight, there's a
"Then, and for the last 8 years, I have
reason why so many people struggle
been making tons of renewable
with saving on their energy bills
systems for clients that wanted to get
despite so much help being offered
energy for free and save a lot of money.
to them today...
And this was very successful. Clients
were very happy that they kept sending
"There are so many interested in
more clients. Eventually, I got to a point
keeping the energy industry as it is
that people were flooding my doors in
today, that they will never give out the
order to build systems for them. But, I
help you need on a plate. I am a fanatic
16

17. realized that if I wanted to help more this to my students in my classes as
people I would need to write down the homework" - Ionadi Chim, Sydney, AU
instructions on how I do it. That was
how this product was born" And Ionadi Chim is not alone. There are
many success stories that you can read
How David Knight conquered his on his: DIYPowerSystem website that
energy bill problem with a unique should, at the very least, inspire you to
approach, and says he can solve your give it a try too.
too.
"Discover How To Build Your Own Wind
Or Solar Energy Generator For As Little
As $100! And This Is *Only* The
Beginning...", David Knight tells us.
David Knight focuses on the unique
approach he has developed through
years od study, trial and error, to solve
his own and other people's need for
energy cost savings. To learn more about David Knight
solution, and his/her story, along with
We asked ourselves was it worth it? We dozens of other stories from people
think that the following testimonials who have also tried this solution, visit
speak for themselves... the website : DIYPowerSystem website.
"So Easy To Build By Virtually Anyone. What others are saying…
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17

18. expected." – Brian Hyatt
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