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Energy Conservation Works

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Energy Conservation Works Going solar. Sometimes it seems the going is slower than I’d like. But occasionally I get motivation to keep going. Ours is defiantly a “Tortoise and Hare” story. The most recent encouragement to keep our hare in the race was the arrival of our electric bill. For eight months now, we’ve had [...]

A Texas Senate Bill Would Subsidize Solar Panels

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Image via Wikipedia A Texas Senate Bill Would Subsidize Solar Panels Those of us trying to make solar power an affordable option always have ears turned to possible options that reduce solar power costs and installation. According to KBTX.com last week, the Texas State Senate Business and Commerce committee voted the Fraser solar proposal (SB [...]

Free Weather

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Free Weather Today in south Texas, we enjoy what my family calls “free weather.” Free weather happens when the outdoor temperatures are such that we need neither heat, nor air conditioning, nor clothes dryer. Open windows allow cool breezes to circulate through the house and clothes dry quickly when hung out on the clothesline. Free [...]

Learning About Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Image by Getty Images via Daylife Learning About Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs We are still trying to reduce our monthly kilowatt-hour consumption before we bite the bullet and install solar electric energy. Installing Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) reduces the amount of energy your home uses so most people make the switch to CFLs. Here’s what [...]

Another Reason to Go Solar

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Another Reason to Go Solar: Doing the Home Electric Energy Math Working a solar power system into my budget means I’m always doing the math. Here’s an interesting energy math equation: 1 kilowatt-hour = 1 pound of coal This means that every kilowatt-hour you shave off your electric bill you are refusing to burn a [...]

Calculating the Solar Energy Price Tag

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Calculating the Solar Energy Price Tag   What-You-Want-Most Math Solar energy systems, as with other alternative energy systems, carry a hefty price tag. Promoters of these energy saving systems point out the long-term benefits of having such a system installed in a home. These long-term benefits are lower operating costs, low maintenance, and in some [...]

Solar Power – Is It Right For You?

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Image by reiner.kraft via Flickr Solar Power – Is It Right For You? Do you want a solar powered home? I sure do. Although technology improves and solar panel prices fall, going solar can still be a daunting process. Have you ever wondered if solar power is right for you? Well, Mother Earth News has [...]

Solar Energy on a Limited Budget

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

Solar Energy on a Limited Budget How do you afford the purchase and installation of a solar energy system in these economic times? I certainly want to but I am limited by financial constraints. To make solar more affordable, we are limiting our current home energy consumption. The thinking goes like this: the less energy [...]

Energy Conservation by Individual Choice

Friday, January 16th, 2009

Image via Wikipedia Energy Conservation by Individual Choice The mission here at Simple Home Solar Energy is to “go solar.” The goal is to eventually produce all the energy our home requires. The process to turn our home into a solar energy generator is documented here, in this blog. Not being a trained engineer or [...]

Solar Panel Prices Fall

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Image by muenzer via Flickr Solar Panel Prices Fall USA Today reports some good news in the bad economy. The cost of rooftop solar systems are down 8 to 10 percent since October. Prices on rooftop solar systems are expected to fall another 15 to 20 percent over the course of the year. This is [...]

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