| We hear about global warming on a daily basis but | | | | What is necessary to justify installing a home |
| no one wants to try to determine if it is a reality | | | | made solar energy system? |
| or a myth. Some say it is happening and predict | | | | - First is the energy created over the life of the |
| the end of human life on this planet. Are we | | | | system nearly equal in value to the cost of the |
| having global warming when many areas are | | | | system? |
| experiencing the coldest fall and early winter in a | | | | - Do you have the necessary mechanical skills to |
| decade? Is the current global warming trend (if it | | | | install a home made solar power system? |
| exists) a part of the natural cycle of the earth | | | | - Can you afford all of the costs up front? You |
| and the solar system. Is this an reason to install | | | | may not be able to borrow money to install a |
| home made solar panels on every house? No | | | | home made system. |
| global warming is not the reason to install solar | | | | - Is your location a good place to put up solar |
| panels on your home. | | | | panels? |
| The value of residential solar power is not to stop | | | | - Does your zoning allow solar panels? |
| global warming. This is just an excuse to drive the | | | | - Will the tax credits off set enough cost to make |
| process through the use of government subsidies. | | | | the project viable? |
| The true value of solar power is to replace | | | | - Will you use battery back up for times that the |
| non-renewable energy sources. Another valued | | | | sun don't shine? |
| use of solar power is for those installations that | | | | - Does your state have an incentive program for |
| are off the power grid. Solar power is a valuable | | | | renewable energy sources. |
| addition to an off grid system that relies on | | | | If you can answer yes to most of these |
| generators. In this type of installation solar power | | | | questions then a home made solar power system |
| is probably cost effective currently. | | | | might be your solution to lower energy costs. Our |
| This author has one real objection to solar | | | | personal sense of helping our planet is also a |
| energy, that is cost. As the cost goes down solar | | | | valuable consideration for developing our own |
| power will become a viable home made solar | | | | home made solar energy system. |
| power source. At some point the cost of thin film | | | | In summary the value of home made solar |
| solar panels will be low enough that when we re | | | | energy is our personal perception of the process. |
| roof our homes the shingles will be solar panels. | | | | At the present saving money on your energy |
| The life of the solar panel will about match the | | | | cost is not the real reason to build your own solar |
| average life of a roof. | | | | energy system. |