Solar energy has been used to heat water at home in many countries for more than 40 years. While the initial cost of these systems was once considered high, the rewards provided by harnessing a free energy source like the sun are now well documented and appreciated by hundreds of thousands of solar hot water customers around the world.

The beauty of solar energy is that it does not pollute, it is cheap to maintain and it is a completely green renewable energy source. Look, that’s the key. Solar energy is free from the sun. By using solar energy, we are not taking any natural resources like oil or gas from our fragile planet that cannot be replaced. Solar energy is actually available to everyone who wants to take advantage of it.

With the development of new technologies, a revolution in home electricity generation is now in its embryonic stages. Using solar panels similar to those used in solar water heaters but made up of photovoltaic cells (when sunlight hits these cells, it is transformed into electricity) it is now possible to generate free electricity from the sun’s energy. Plus, it’s now possible to further reduce the costs of installing one of these systems in your home or business by building your own solar panels.

Compared to the expense of buying prefabricated solar panels, huge savings can be achieved using simple techniques and tried and tested designs. Some prefab systems can take ten years or more to pay for themselves, making the investment decision a little more difficult for many people in these tough economic times.

Of course, the beauty of any DIY project isn’t limited to the actual cost-saving benefits. By building your own system, it can be custom designed and built to meet your specific purpose. Of course, there is also a sense of accomplishment when a project gets off the ground, even more so when you start to see a direct benefit through reduced energy bills for years to come.

There are many kits available that include major components made by some of the world’s largest and most well-known electrical companies, or you can find complete plans and drawings to do everything yourself. It really is a matter of how adventurous you are and even if you are not a complete expert, many of the options available are suitable for the beginner. Another added feature of going the DIY route is the flexibility these expandable systems offer. You can start small and add more panels as needed.

So my advice is to do your research as there are quite a few DIY solar systems on the market. Like any home project, you want quality plans with realistically achievable results. Personally, whenever I build something, I read what other people are saying about the results they’ve achieved and make sure I have the skills and tools that will be needed. In the case of home energy, it’s really a no-brainer: Anyone who thinks the price of electricity is going to go down is kidding themselves. It may also be possible in your area to return electricity to the power grid creating even more reductions in your energy bills. Obviously these types of home systems will be a bit more complex than the basic types, however I have seen these systems work and they are not as complicated as you might think.