Product Description
Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you’re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you! This friendly, hands-on guide is packed with tips for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power—and helping the planet at the same time. You’ll see how to survey your home to determine your current household energy efficiency and use, and evaluate where solar power would best benefit you. You’ll also calculate what the return on your investment will be before you make any decisions. Once you’ve decided on a project, you’ll see whether it’s best to hire a contractor or do it yourself. We leave no stone unturned—you’ll also discover how to: Choose and install your best solar system Handle small to large solar projects Heat and cool your house with solar energy Install exterior solar lighting Handle swimming pool, water heater, or ventilation solar projects Create greenhouses or solar rooms Build, buy, or sell a solar home Finance your solar investments Take advantage of tax rebates and incentives associated with solar power Avoid the worst solar mistakes Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest do-it-yourself solar projects, Solar Power For Dummies is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.5 based on 24 reviews)

Very basic information by B. Woodard (College Park, MD)

3 Stars
October 22, 2009
The book has a lot of valuable content, but is definitely for the beginner. Most of the projects in the book recommend you purchase a "kit" and then walk you though an install. If you want simple ideas, this is great. If you are looking for more in depth information on solar or info on how to create or install a whole house -off grid - system, you should look else where.

Didn't tell me any thing but a paln of action that will not do all of what I want by Thomas J. Kelly

1 Stars
September 12, 2009
I wouldn't but this book again. their is only simple information here. No good drawing of a system with any details. The end

Not enough information to make it useful by Andy Hayes (South Carolina)

2 Stars
September 01, 2009
I've been looking to build my own solar electric system for a while. Not knowing much about the technology other than what I found by surfing the internet, I felt it was time to get some real information from a reputable source. I've been a fan of 'For Dummies' books for years: looking around my office now I can see three of them just lying on my desk and a further four in my bookcase. So buying 'Solar Power Your Home for Dummies' was an obvious choice. I bought two books on solar power: this one and one other, hoping that between them they would provide me with all the information I needed to make an informed decision as to what to do. The other book I found exceptional in that it has given me the technical know-how and the confidence to do the job properly. This book I found shallow and lacking any real useful information. The information it does give is clearly written, easily understandable and well put together. Unfortunately, it is no more than you can find by surfing on the internet for a couple of hours. I did not have the confidence at the end of reading this book that I could build a solar power system. Furthermore, much of the information is out of date and simply is not covered in enough detail to make it a worthwhile book. There are far better books around. This is one 'For Dummies' book that I wish I left on the shelf.

Great if you're going Green by Andrew T. Cottrill (Temple, TX United States)

5 Stars
August 11, 2009
This is an excellent book. I received it quickly in good packaging and sooner than expected. Very interesting book.

Great Introduction to Solar by Good Book Guy

5 Stars
August 04, 2009
I picked up this book after reading the author's work on Green Your Home For Dummies, and it's exactly what it claims to be -- a solid introduction to the various solar power technologies that you can employ in your home. From a cheap, homemade solar oven to all the issues you need to consider when going full-scale PV, it's fascinating. In fact, after reading this book, we're well on our way to putting in a solar water heatg system.

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