About Us
Hi, my name is Frank Bates and like many folks, I got pretty sick and tired of seeing my power bills go up each and every month.
So, I decided to do something about it!
Here on my blog, I’ll post as many tips, videos and articles as I can find to help you build your own solar and wind power systems at home. I hope you find something useful, and thanks for stopping by!
I like Frank Bates approach and comments. Real down -to-earth. I have attended PG&E solar information classes, and know about net metering and grid hook up- yet- I do not want anything to do with PG&E! By using a parallel system for 12 volt lighting, battery back-up, and powering up only those appliances that are constant drain- I hope to avoid ever speaking to the power company.
Yet, in designing my own systems- the one big cost are the solar panels.The effecency of the panels is not as important- as, I only need more to arrive at the incremental application to appliances. Basically, What do you have in panels? Or Panel components, or, Thin Film that is competetive price wise? Catalog? Thank you, Jim Simpson
Comment by Jim Smpson — October 16, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
Frank,
I came across your site this morning while sorting through the home energy pages on the internet and like you I am interested in trying to reduce my energy cost on a monthly basis. Are you nearby? If so I would like to talk to you about making some panels for myself and find out how you feel about buying this kit. Thanks for your time.
Tim
Comment by Tim Wood — October 17, 2008 @ 10:24 am
@Jim:
Thanks for the kind words! Glad you stopped by and hope you found the site useful. I actually don’t sell any equipment or components…I’m just a normal guy who built my own! I’m sure you can find pre-made components at retail, or you can build it yourself using the same guide that I used.
@Tim:
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll try to connect with you via email.
Frank Bates
Comment by admin — October 17, 2008 @ 11:47 am
I am working on my finals for environmental science this weekend. What, other than home utility costs do you think the advantages to solar power are? Did you build a solar concentrator? Congratulations on the lower monthly bills. I am focusing on a bigger scale and want to outline a project to power communities.
Thanks Dayna
Comment by Dayna Cooksey — October 17, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
@Dayna:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Well, I think the other big advantage to solar power is that it’s clean/green power, so it’s a lot better on the environment than other power sources. Good luck on your finals and project outline!
Frank Bates
Comment by admin — October 17, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
Frank,
I’m in the area and would like to see wind turbine.
Steve
Comment by Steve — October 19, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
@Steve:
Thanks for stopping by the blog. I’m working on putting up some pictures on the blog — please check back soon.
Frank Bates
Comment by admin — October 19, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
Frank, I was searching the web for info on solar panels and came across your site. I then checked out the Earth4Energy site. From what I have been reading, solar panels are expensive so I don’t understand how ‘we’ can make panels for less than $200 as it says on the Earth4Energy site. Before I purchase the Earth4Energy kit, can you provide anymore info as to where you get the materials from? Thanks, Dave
Comment by Dave Hilliard — October 23, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
Frank
I teach at Iowa State and saw your blog. I would like to visit you and see the wind turbine you are using.
Comment by Dr. Vinay Dayal — October 24, 2008 @ 10:22 am
i would like to buy a stp by stp manual could call me thank you
Comment by jim bush — October 24, 2008 @ 11:03 am
@ Dr. Dayal:
It’s great to have a professor stop by the blog, thank you for your comment! I’ll get in touch via email.
@ Jim:
Thanks for your comment! The step-by-step manual that we used is called Earth4Energy. I’m not the author/seller, I’m just a normal guy who used it successfully. If you’d like to see about getting your own copy, their website is over at http://www.solarandwind4me.com/recommends/solarpower.
@ Dave:
Thanks for your excellent question and for stopping by the blog! You’re absolutely right in that the solar cells/panels themselves are the most expensive part of this DIY project. The other materials, like a wood frame, glass cover, copper wire, etc. are cheap and easily available at a local hardware store. he key here is to obtain discounted or even free cells for the project, since we’re building this ourselves rather than paying for a pre-fab and installation.
Here’s how to get discounted and/or free cells both from my project and what they say in the Earth4Energy manual (I hope I don’t get in trouble by sharing…):
- the key is to look for chipped or damaged cells…if they’re not too damaged, you can repair cracks with clear silicone and re-wire with solder…otherwise look for discounted/used cells…new cells at retail would likely break your $200 budget
- contact local traffic sign vendors…solar cells are used in lots of roadside towers/lights and construction signs, and these vendors can have lots of damaged/chipped cells that you can pick up on the cheap
- contact local solar power installers…the vendors that do the pre-fab installations often have damaged cells or perfectly good used cells that were taken out when customers get upgrades
- ebay…this was a weird one for me but there are actually lots of people selling solar cells on eBay…try searching for “chipped solar panels” and terms like that
One last thing to keep in mind on expectations… a $200 budget is doable in my experience for making your own solar panels, but depending on your conditions and electrical load, you may need multiple panels or the addition of a wind turbine (like I did) to meet your power needs/goals.
Thanks everybody for your comments — it’s just great to see so many other good folks interested in making their own 100% clean power!
Frank Bates
Comment by admin — October 24, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Hi Frank,
I just came across your website and it does sound very intriguing. Almost too good to be true but then I read about buying damaged and chipped panels.
I live near Salt Lake and am very interested considering the amount of days we have sunshine here.
I do have a draw back, I can follow directions well but I am not particularly handy, but I think I could learn. Do you think this would be simple enough for a dummy in home improvement?
Lori
Comment by Lori — October 27, 2008 @ 1:49 am
@Lori,
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by the blog!
I think this sort of project does require a certain level of “handiness”, since it involves (in the case of building a solar panel) some soldering/wiring of the cells together, creating a wooden frame, connecting to a battery, etc. Frankly, I would probably not undertake it if you feel particularly unskilled in these types of tasks.
I did just find out a nice surprise piece of news when I logged into my Earth4Energy account today — they just released some VIDEOS showing how to do a couple of the tasks. I thought these were pretty cool and are easier to follow than the manual. But I’d say my comments still stand in that even with the clear instructions & videos, it does take a decent level of “handiness”.
Good luck!
Frank Bates
PS One other option is to hire somebody to build it for you, but this can cut into the cost advantage versus prefab.
Comment by admin — October 27, 2008 @ 11:09 am
Frank, I live in the area. Can we drive by and see your setup sometime? We want to do the same here if we can. Thanks much, Richard
Comment by Richard Thayer — October 28, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
@Richard,
Thanks for your note & for stopping by! I’ll try to connect via email.
Frank Bates
Comment by admin — October 28, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
frank,
just came across your site. would love to see what you have. would like to add solar and wind, if possible.
tom bell
Comment by tom bell — October 29, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
@Tom:
Thanks for you comments! I’m looking to add more photos to the site soon, and maybe even video if I can get my wife to take some (she’s the camera expert).
Good luck with your project, it can be a lot of fun!
Frank Bates
Comment by admin — October 29, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
I’m in junior high and in my computer class we are doing inventions. My teacher said we could use an already used invention and i thought i would make a wind turbine great for country homes with a lot of wind. I found your website and I thought it was great. I was wondering if you could teach me how to make it because my family wants to save money.
*Will the power company pay for the power we don’t use?
*How much will it cost to make or get one?
*Will it really actually help?
Thank you so much,
Maranda
Comment by Maranda Crotty — October 31, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
@Maranda,
Thanks for your comment, it’s great to hear from a student interested in renewable power!
It is possible to have the power company pay you for excess power that you generate — it’s called “net metering”. There are a couple issues however… the system needs to be pretty robust (so that there’s excess power) and “grid-tied” into the home’s AC breaker (which is a job done by an electrician or the power company). And, the power company has to offer “net metering”.
As for cost, it ranges from a couple hundred dollars to make your own wind turbine up to $10,000+ for a robust, pre-fab & professionally installed system. There are tax credits that can help offset the cost of the latter.
Will it actually help? I think it’s great to generate 100% clean power and I love saving money as well. Those are the positives. Building your own wind turbine does take some “handiness” and ingenuity, so keep that in mind.
One last thing: I wouldn’t recommend you purchase the DIY manual that I recommend without checking with your parents first, though.
Here’s some good free info on the internet to get you started: http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.html and http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-1000-watt-wind-turbine/
Good luck!
Frank Bates
Comment by admin — October 31, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Frank,
Have you looked into solar thermal? It is also very cost effective and there are many projects that the average handy person can build at home. Passive solar has provided our Montana home with over 40% of heat that we need for almost 25 years. The nice thing about passive solar is living warm amongst plants that thrive inside, when it is well below zero outside.
Comment by Dave Williams — November 14, 2008 @ 5:10 pm