Thinking about converting to solar power? Cool! I’ve got some important information for you to consider before you make your final decision. First, though, if you’ve come to this page directly from another site, I’d like to invite you to get to know me a little better by visiting my home and about pages.

Okay. let’s get on with it. To start, I’d like to point out some of the benefits of converting to solar power. First of all, converting to solar power has never been easier or more affordable, and let’s face it, when we look into the future we don’t see fossil fuels.

Solar power, on the other hand, well, if our sun ceases to exist, so do we! Sooner or later, converting to solar, or wind, power is going to be necessity, not an option.

Not only that, but the sun’s energy is totally free and we can use all we want without depleting the source. Note: While the sun’s energy is free, there are costs associated with converting it to usable electricity, namely solar panels and batteries.

The point I’m trying to make in regards to the sun’s energy being “free” is that it is not something that has to be created, or dug up, or burned. No rivers have to be diverted. No part of the environment has to be damaged or altered, and, most importantly, nobody has to fight over who gets the sun’s energy. It is there for the taking for whoever wants it–it’s free!

In fact, the sun’s energy is so “free” that the sun is going to keep giving it to us forever and ever, whether we want it or not! Not only that, but the sun has been giving us it’s energy for free for as long as there has been life on earth. The sun’s free energy is, in fact, responsible for all life on Earth. It powers the growth of everything on our planet. Why people call solar power “alternative” energy is beyond me! It’s not “alternative.” It’s the original source of energy for our planet!

Okay, I think I made my point. Are you still with me?

If so, I’d like to make one more point. Some people do consider generating electricity with solar power to be “alternative,” and they are not sure if it is reliable enough to power their homes. If you’re worried about this “alternative” source of energy really being able to meet your energy demands, remember that this technology is not new. In fact, people have been using solar thermal power to generate electricity for decades.

One group of people who have embraced the technology is NASA. Those big “wings” you see on the International Space Station, those are solar panels, and they are what powers the entire space station. If you convert to solar power, rest assured, you will not suffer from a lack of energy.

That being said, before converting to solar power you will want to make your home as efficient as possible. But, Ryan, you just told me that solar power is strong and reliable. Why do I have to cut back my energy consumption?

Well, it’s not because the amount of power you can produce is limited. It is because how much power you use dictates how many solar panels you’ll need to install. The more electricity you use, the more panels you’ll need, and the more expensive your conversion will be.

So, before converting to solar power, do an energy audit and determine ways that you can become more efficient–or not (it’s up to you). I have published a comprehensive article in regards to how to do an energy audit. If you want to do an audit, have a look at it. In the mean time, here is a short list of things you can do to become more efficient.

• use energy efficient light bulbs
• insulate your home well
• use energy-efficient appliances
• turn off appliances at the wall
• turn off lights and computers when not is use
• use ceiling fans (don’t worry, you can keep your a/c)
• seal your doors and windows

You may also be interested in taking a look at my how to get off the grid page. It will tell you, for example,  how to use your monthly electricity bills to see just how much power you will need to generate with your solar panels. With that information, you can then figure out how many panels you need to install. This is important stuff to know when converting to solar power.

Making the Conversion

Let me point out, first of all, that converting to solar power does not have to be an all or nothing affair. You can start by getting a solar panel or two and producing some of your energy while still using energy from the grid.

I’d also like to point out that even if you get a huge array of solar panels and produce all the energy you could ever use, you still don’t have to disconnect from the grid. You can always keep connected to use it as a backup or, if you produce enough energy, to sell power back to the utility company.

When converting to solar energy, you have two options; you can do it yourself, or you can hire someone else to do it. If you choose to hire professionals, there is not a whole lot for me to tell you. They will tell you everything you need to know. Just shop around for the best installers, getting references from others they have served, if possible.

If you want to convert to solar power on your own, I have some more information that you’ll find useful. First of all, I would suggest that you don’t “convert” to solar power right away. Just start small and work your way up. The first thing you should do is build a solar panel. If you haven’t been there already, head over to my how to build your own solar panel page.  The long and short of it is that building a solar panel is not too difficult. You just need to grab a set of solar panel plans and get to work. If you want more information about these plans, head over to my Review Solar Panel Plans page to get more information. You may also want to check out my Solar Panel Plans: Righteous or Rubbish page.

Of course, once you build a solar panel, you’ll have to install it. If you’re at this stage, be sure to head over to my How to Install Solar Panels page. There is important information there that you don’t want to miss. If you have built more than one panel and need to wire them together, be sure to read my article on How to Wire Solar Panels.

As I said, I recommend that you start slow. Build a panel or two and start producing some of your own power. If things go well, keep building up your system.

If you do convert to 100% to solar power, you can be totally independent from your power company. No electricity bills. No summertime blackouts. No problems. Or, even better, you can stay connected to the grid and sell your excess energy back to the power company!

All of this is in addition to the fact that you will be powering your home with energy that produces zero pollution. Your television, your A/C, your computer, and all your appliances, you can use them all guilt free. You will be doing your part to leave a clean and green world to your kids and grand kids.

Have you converted to solar power? If so, the readers of this site and I would love to hear from you. We would also love to see any pictures or videos that you have of your system, especially ones showing different stages of your conversion! If you have any, and wouldn’t mind sharing, please use the contact page to let me know (don’t be shy…we really want to see them).

Take care and thanks for stopping by!