Whether readers are looking to add a small solar component to provide a modest contribution to their home energy needs, build a new home powered completely by solar panels or do anything in between, this updated, revised and expanded title provides detailed answers to all of their questions.

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

The bestselling alternative energy reference book in North America—now in an updated edition

Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you’re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you!

This new edition gives you hands-on tips and techniques for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power—and helping the planet at the same time. Plus, you’ll get all the latest information on changes to federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and tax incentives that seek to make solar-power adoption more feasible.

• Expanded coverage of the technology that underpins full-scale solar-power systems for the home
• New small- and mid-sized solar products, projects, and applications
• Rik DeGunther is a design engineer who started his own energy consulting firm

Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest DIY solar projects, Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!