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Solar energy installation is initially expensive and therefore a major deterrent. Currently, it’s more expensive for the average American to purchase equipment for a solar home energy system than it is to purchase the conventional fossil fuel home energy system. When looking at the “bigger picture”, however, of a solar energy system installation, here are a few things to consider:

1. Using solar panels to capture and use the sun’s energy will improve your home value.

2. In about half of its lifetime, a solar home energy system will have paid for itself (lifetime of 25-30 years on average).

3. You are installing a clean, non-polluting system that, since there are no moving parts to break or replace, will be either low maintenance or maintenance-free.

4. You may be able to sell your excess energy to your local electric company should you generate more power than you can use.

5. There are government sponsored rebates and incentives that you may qualify for.

The recent home building trends show that home owners are becoming more and more interesting in “going green.” This means a big increase in using solar energy, and other renewable resources, for construction as possible. Not only is this resulting in decreasing costs for solar energy and other environmentally-friendly building supplies, it also is bringing the value for “green” homes up.

If you’ve decided you really want solar energy when building or remodeling your home, but can’t convince yourself you can afford it…at least the initial installation cost…consider installing the system yourself. Solar panels installed by a contractor is much more expensive…bids are coming in that are 10 times or greater more than what you would pay if you did your own installation. There’s no rocket science involved in solar energy construction or installation. Basically, you have a specially constructed solar panel (a box, PV or photovoltaic cells, wire, soldering iron, connections, a cover made of tempered or plexiglass and silicone or other sealant), that captures the sunlight’s energy to activate the electrons on the PV cells. When those electrons move, and then are directed through your panel, they create an electrical chain. That goes through a charge controller in the form of a DC charge. Then, the charge gets either run through an inverter to transform it into 110 volt AC current, or it gets captured in a deep cycle storage battery. There are many DIY models on the Internet with tips, tricks, and instructions. Some are free and some charge a small amount. Look at Earth4Energy to find a clear instruction for a very reasonable amount.

Taking advantage of passive solar energy is a great way to cut your energy costs. Examine closely the best ways to take advantage of the sun’s energy to direct the sunlight to your home’s windows, then walls and floors, to allow heat distribution in the winter, and summertime rejection. No electrical or mechanical devices or solar panels are necessary in passive solar energy, although there are five critical elements for success in passive solar design. Those five critical elements are 1) area…glass generally, to allow sunlight into your building; 2) absorber…hard, dark surface for the sunlight to hit and be absorbed as heat; 3) thermal mass…the material below or behind the absorber; 4) distribution plan or system…how the solar heat gets circulated; and 5) control…awnings, blinds, differential thermostats and roof overhangs.

Using passive, active, or a combination of the two, you can save money with a solar energy installation. Yes, you’ll likely pay more initially, although doing your own installation can certainly reduce that cost. But you’ll be reducing environmental damage to the planet, and you’ll also save money on your utility bills as fossil fuel expenses continue to escalate.

On Earth Day 2010, Rhone Resch, who is the CEO and President of Solar Energy Industries Association said: “Today we need to take action to accelerate the deployment of solar. If you are a homeowner or business owner, consider putting solar on your property or buying clean energy through your utility. And if you are a policymaker, consider incentives, like extending the federal Treasury Grant Program, that are working to stimulate more investment in solar.”

Whatever each of us does, be it large or small, that encourages and supports solar energy development, generations to come will benefit from the difference.

Looking to find out all you can about solar power costs, then visit www.HomeSolarPowerExplained.com to find the best advice on home solar power for you.