A Solar Buyer’s Guide for the Home and Office: Navigating the Maze of Solar Options, Incentives, and Installers Book

Introduction: Why Solar Energy? vii

1 Types of Solar 1

What Solar Can Do 1

Advantages of Solar Energy 3

Limitations of Solar Energy 5

Types of Solar Panels 6

Passive Solar Design and Other Solar Gizmos 11

2 What's Appropriate for Your Site 12

Solar Availability for Your Site 12

Getting Acquainted with Your Solar Window 14

The Solar Resource 16

Analyzing Your Solar Window 17

Altering Your Solar Window 19

Aesthetic Concerns 22

Solar Access Laws and the Rules of Your Neighborhood 22

The Condition of Your Roof 24

What If My Solar Window Stinks? 24

Understanding Your Current Energy Usage 25

What Types of Energy Does Your Home Use? 26

3 What's Appropriate for Your Budget 33

Energy as a Service 33

The Cost of Photovoltaic Systems 35

The Cost of Solar Hot Water Systems 36

The Cost of Solar Heating Systems 37

Other Solar Device Costs 39

Help Paying for Your System 39

What the Heck's a REC or a FIT? 43

The Federal Tax Credit 46

4 Getting Ready for the Installation 50

Step 1: Create a List of Qualified Contractors 50

Step 2: Thoroughly Vetting the Contractors on Your List 52

Step 3: Setting up the Site Visit 53

Step 4: Referrals 56

Step 5: Timeline 56

Step 6: Paperwork 57

Step 7: Installation Complete! 58

5 Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) Systems 60

Grid-Tied versus Off-Grid 62

How the Magic Happens: The Nuts and Bolts of Residential Solar Electric Systems 70

Details of the Three Types of Solar Electric Systems 76

6 Solar Hot Water 86

Exceptional Advantages of Solar Water Heaters 86

Types of Systems and Panels 89

The Big System Difference: Direct Gain or Heat Exchange? 89

Choosing the Collector: Flat-Plate or Evacuated Tube? 92

A More Detailed Look at How the Different Systems Operate 94

Solar Pool Heating 98

7 Solar Heating 105

The Four Types of Solar Space Heating 106

What's Best for Your Climate 108

Fundamental Differences between Passive and Active Solar Heating Options 109

One Last Difference: Radiant Heat versus Forced Air 111

Determining Your Climate Zone: Heating Degree Days and Winter Insolation 112

Making the Choice: Determining the Appropriate Solar Heating Option for Your Home 114

Getting Down to Business: The Nitty-Gritty of Your Solar Heating Installation 116

Evaluating Equipment and Installers for Solar Heating Systems 126

8 Everything Else Under the Sun 128

Solar Clothes Dryer 129

Cooking with the Sun 129

Tried and True Solar Ovens and Cookers and Where to Get Them 131

Lighting the Home and Cooling the Attic 134

Solar in the Yard 137

Distillation and Food Dehydration 139

Moving Water: Irrigation and Fountains 139

Solar Battery Chargers 140

Other "Solar" Appliances 140

9 The Future of Solar 143

Large-Scale Solar Thermal Technologies 144

Residential Applications 146

Index 149

About the Authors 153