Solar Power Your Home For Dummies »

Rik DeGunther is the founder of Efficient Homes, an energy auditing and consulting firm. He holds a BS in Engineering Physics and dual Masters degrees in Applied Physics and Engineering Economic Systems. Rik is also the author of Energy Efficient Homes For Dummies and Alternative Energy For Dummies.

A new edition of the best-selling guide to solar power

Want solar power in your home? Whether you're looking to save on energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, this friendly guide takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you! Plus, you'll get all the latest updates on changes to federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and tax incentives that make solar-power adoption more feasible.

Understanding why solar is king — find out how you can put solar power to use to reap financial rewards, lessen your carbon footprint, and gain independence from fossil fuels

Here comes the sun — learn to evaluate your solar potential, plot your sun charts, calculate payback on your investment, and install your solar system

Practical applications — get easy-to-follow information on how to use solar energy in a variety of projects inside and outside your home

Exploring full-scale photovoltaic systems — discover the benefits of powering your home with a PV system, understand how the system works, and find out how to install one

Building, retrofitting, and selling — get practical guidance on building a solar-powered home from the ground up, installing solar in an existing home, and selling your solar home

Open the book and find:

• Tips on surveying your household energy efficiency and use

• Ways to evaluate your solar potential

• Small- and medium-sized DIY projects

• Advice on analyzing solar investments

• An introduction to building codes and regulations

• Ways to take advantage of your lot's features

• Information on installing PV systems

• The ten best solar investments

Introduction.

Part I: Playing the Energy Game.

Chapter 1: Helping the World through Solar Power.

Chapter 2: Surveying Your Household Energy Efficiency and Use.

Chapter 3: Making Your Home Energy Efficient.

Part II: Understanding Solar — Just the Facts, Ma'am.

Chapter 4: Working with Solar Basics.

Chapter 5: Evaluating Your Solar Potential.

Chapter 6: Calculating Payback on Your Solar Investment.

Chapter 7: Installing Your Solar System.

Part III: Applications Aplenty: Projects from Small to Large.

Chapter 8: Digging In to Landscape Projects.

Chapter 9: Jumping In to Small Projects with Big Results.

Chapter 10: Heating and Purifying Water.

Chapter 11: Diving In to Swimming Pool Projects.

Chapter 12: Supplementing Your Domestic Water Heater.

Chapter 13: Breezeway: Directing Wind within Your House.

Chapter 14: Solar Pumps, Wind Power, Hydro Power, and Batteries in Applications.

Chapter 15: Glass Houses (and Plastic, Too): Greenhouses and Sunrooms.

Part IV: Exploring Full-Scale Photovoltaic Systems.

Chapter 16: Taking a Close Look at Photovoltaic Systems.

Chapter 17: Is a Full-Scale PV System Worth the Investment?

Chapter 18: Divorcing the Grid: Going Solo with Solar Power Systems.

Chapter 19: Do It Yourself or Contract Out?

Chapter 20: Finding the Cash to Get the Job Done.

Part V: Buying, Selling, and Building a Solar Home.

Chapter 21: Building a Solar Home from the Ground Up.

Chapter 22: Buying and Selling a Solar Home.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 23: Ten Best Solar Investments.

Chapter 24: Ten or So Best Do-It-Yourself Projects.

Chapter 25: Ten Cheap Solar Projects and Devices.

Chapter 26: Ten or So Worst Solar Mistakes.

Index.