Solar Resources

[jraabe]

If you are interested in using solar energy here is how I answered a recent request for information:

For retrofiting an existing house two good resources are:
• http://www.realgoods.com/ and
• http://www.backwoodssolar.com/.

These solar upgrades involve some rather costly installations.

My primary interest is in helping people do the really simple solar things to a new house that can save 15-40% of their heating and power bills over the life of the house for little or no additional costs. These are architectural choices for the most part rather than engineering solutions such as panels and wires.

This is the solar savings that are thrown away went most new houses are designed and built.

Solar SunKit = http://www.countryplans.com/solarkit.htm

Now for something completely different! The future of solar PV (electric generation) - spray on solar panels: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0114_050114_solarplastic.html

[glenn kangiser]

Looks like the cost of solar panels may come down if not too many agencies and middle men get their finger in the pie.

http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14932

[John Raabe]

Interesting product development. Between solar panel advancement and better electrical storage devices we may be seeing some interesting options for the old backwoods homestead.

It's still the realm of the early adopter energy gearhead but that could change quickly.