Many people are sick to death of the escalating cost of electricity, but they do not know what they can do about it. They have switched lights off; they have not turned lights on; they have unplugged devices on stand-by and they have turned the central heating down and the air con up and it has only saved them pennies. Yet still the electricity bills go up on a regular basis. It is very frustrating.

We have all heard of alternative and sustainable sources of energy, but the question is: how can average people implement these technologies into their own homes? One phone call to a professional solar power installation company will convince anyone that solar power is only for the well-off.

Likewise with wind power generation. A single device, which may or may not satisfy the electrical needs of one standard household will cost in the region of $45,000 and it is thought that, if it meets expectations, that it will pay for itself in ten years time. $45,000 is too much money for most people, but having to wait ten years to realize that investment is too long for most individuals too.

So, at first glimpse, it looks like the average person is at the mercy of the oil companies and the electricity generators. However, it does not have to be like that. There are other ways of tackling the problem and extricating yourself from the clutches of energy providers. The first technique would be to buy the solar power units and install them yourself. That would save you a great deal, perhaps up to 50%. But you could go a stage further and make the solar panels yourself too, which would save you a great deal more money.

The fact is that the more of your own labour that you can put into the scheme, the more you will save, because the labour constituent in any task usually amounts to about 50% of the costs. We all know how expensive it is to call a plumber in to fix a leaking pipe or a roofer to replace a slate. $100 for a slate? $100 for a dribble of solder? No, it is the tradesman’s time and the same is true of solar panel fitters.

The way out is to learn how to assemble the solar power units and fit them yourself. It is not hard. Any teenager can can learn how to do it and so can you. Believe me, learning how to assemble and fit solar panels is not difficult. Just try it and see for yourself. You will amaze yourself and your friends. You may even transform it into a business!

The thing to do is get a reliable kit or a plan from a trusted source. This could be a neighborhood hardware or hobbyist store or from a specialist website on the Internet. Once you have your design, you can buy the components. They are commonplace and available in most DIY shops. Then it will take you about a day to construct a solar panel that will provide about 100 watts.

This may not seem like much, but it will power many types of small machines or two average light bulbs. The trick is to keep adding to your stock of solar panels until you are entirely free of the electricity grid or even selling electricity back into it.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with a favourite topic, renewable energy advantages. If you are interested in Sustainable Energy At Home, please click through to our site.

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By Lance Winslow Platinum Quality Author Lance Winslow
Level: Platinum

Greetings to Everyone, I am a retired Franchisor, Business Consultant, Philanthropist and I run a Think Tank, as well as do a lot of Traveling, …

Before I start this article – I feel it necessary to fully disclose that I am pro-nuclear power in every regard and find that those who protest nuclear power and yet, take Global Warming as a religion are hypocritical in their thinking, as I believe nuclear power makes sense. Indeed, I believe smart nuclear power using some of the “Latest” new concepts in physics make even more sense, and I am completely sold.

Now, then let’s talk about the real challenges concerning nuclear power, namely – the human problem of terrorism, nuclear weapons from rogue nations, and nuclear waste storage problems. Okay so, Nuclear Waste; how big of a deal is this really? Well, I think the scientists will figure that one out, but it’s become a political football. Also consider that they are discovering ways to use the fuel for longer. Check out one of the investments Sir Bill Gates has made in this venue.

Where do we store what’s left? Well, if we had more reliable launch vehicles we could just shoot it into the Sun some day. I worry more about places like France for Nuclear Waste. Old Soviet nuclear submarines rotting away, and Pakistani nuclear power plants near tribal regions where Taliban and Al Qaeda have been known to congregate.

Of course, there is a lot of negative talk about the exploded uranium tipped ordinance all over Iraq, that maybe good for going through steel like butter, but it will have international environmental implications in the future. Yucca Mountain, NV is a political hot potato, and the mistakes at Moab UT, and other places are not too cool with run-off leakage. We don’t need any more superfund sites either.

Yes, I am talking about the minimum of 10,000 years of storage, well that is a long time to plan ahead, I mean that’s basically all of human written recorded history. Yes, it’s an issue. Probably solvable, personally I am pro-nuclear power but hold short of Syria, Iran, Bolivia, Venezuela, etc. and other rogue nations with nuclear fuel and high-speed centrifuges or those new laser enrichment systems – I don’t like it one bit, that’s just not smart, it’s not good for the world.

If we are down on fossil fuels and we have the ability to produce abundant nuclear power, then we should, but we have to do it responsibly or all is lost. The human factor is a real issue, but this is solvable if we will focus. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you’ve enjoyed today’s discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net – Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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Article Submitted On: November 19, 2010

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