Wind Energy

Solar Energy Power Doubles In U.S.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association solar is the fastest growing form of electric generation in the U.S. and has seen a growth of more than 100% over 2009. This fall in costs has spurred a new wave of excitement among an ever growing army of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) enthusiasts who claim there’s no better time than right now to start generating your own electricity.

The costs of generating electricity from the sun are coming way down by the use of photovoltaic panels, commonly referred to as solar panels. Currently a basic solar installation from a retailer can take 30 years to pay back and cost you well over $20,000. However, many people are realizing that they can make their own solar panels for a fraction of that cost.

According to Jacques Fleming, marketing manager of BuziGuys Marketing, an online marketing company promoting green energy technology, "This prompted me to do some research into how the solar panels are created and how I could make them myself. I soon realized it was possible to make solar panels for much cheaper than retail price, saving me thousands. Moreover, it was actually easier than I thought!"

The U.S. solar electric industry, including both photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) installations, could achieve a milestone by installing a gigawatt of new capacity by the end of 2010. That would be enough energy to power 200,000 homes. By 2025 solar power production could grow to 10% of the nation’s power needs by 2025.

DIY solar panel proponents also say that building your own solar panels can be accomplished by almost anyone. "You don’t need to be a builder, anybody can make solar panels. It’s really quite easy to make solar panels once you know a few industry secrets," said Fleming. "Anybody can do this. Male, female and from any age group. This is a great opportunity to save money and go green at the same time."

The federal government is also getting into the act. The federal tax credit for solar was extended for eight years as part of the financial bailout bill, H.R. 1424, until the end of 2016. A 30% tax credit is available for residential and commercial installations.

Many DIY creative entrepreneurs have even found a way to monetize this new wave in building your own solar panels. Many have found that you can make a simple solar panel for as little as $200 and can sell them for up to $500! They claim that by using instructions easily available for purchase on the internet you can profit over $300 for every solar panel you build.

For free information on renewable solar energy for the home and to learn more about Do-It-Yourself solar panels visit
http://makeownsolarpanels.blogspot.com/