Easy and Affordable Ways to Start Using Solar Today

There is so much talk of green and clean energy these days, most people have at least thought about how they can use solar in their lives. The problem is that with a tough economy and bleak job market, most people feel like they just don't have the money to invest in solar. Well, here are 5 cheap and easy ways to start using solar power that won't break the bank! Feel free to tack on your own ideas using the comment feature at the end.

Affordable grid tie kits are great for do-it-yourself homeowners
Thanks to rapid advancements in inverter technology, you can install a solar grid tie kit onto your home for far less then ever before. It used to cost at least $10,000 to install a small system on a home. But using micro-inverters and 200W panels, homeowners can install a single panel and inverter for about $1000 and start to reap the benefits of free energy from the sun.

Many homeowners have begun slowly adding panels on a regular basis, on Earth Day, or as their budget allows. The new technology allows homeowners or anyone with a building to add on to the system in increments, without spending a fortune all at once. You could start with a 230W system, add a panel every 3 months or as your finances allow, and have a 4000W system that covered your entire power bill in just a few years. It's never too early to start, especially with the price of electricity fluctuating and rising over time.

Solar leasing programs often cost nothing to start
Now that solar has gone mainstream and is a viable investment, companies like SunRun have leasing programs to help homeowners get started in renewable energy. Here's how it works:

• A local installer works with a solar financing company like SunRun to evaluate the suitability of your home for solar.
• If your situation is right, the financing company will pay the installer to put the panels on your home, usually at zero cost to you.
• The financing company owns and maintains the panels, and receives any rebates associated with the installation.
• You get charged a fixed, discounted rate for your electricity for the life of the lease, usually 20-25 years.
• You save money in the short term in the discounted and fixed rate, plus you won't experience the sharp rate increases that are inevitable as carbon taxes and renewable subsidies become more prevalent.
• You can choose to purchase the system from the financing company and reduce your energy bills to nearly zero.

Whether you buy or lease solar panels you get the satisfaction of knowing that you are saving money AND helping the environment at the same time!

Simple RV, boat and golf cart systems are affordable and functional
Many people forget that there are various uses for solar panels. Boats, RVs and even golf carts are great candidates because they are simple to upgrade and are usually being operated on sunny days! Solar panels generate direct current, or DC power, which is what most boats and RV's need anyway. Adding a simple panel and charge controller to the system will keep the batteries charged, save the expense of charging batteries, and allow you stay out longer and go farther. Furthermore, trickle charging traditional lead acid batteries like those found on golf carts, boats and RV's is one of the best ways to extend battery life.

In most cases the panels will allow you get rid of the generator or shore power you relied on before. For folks in southern climates that use golf carts or neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) in lieu of traditional vehicles, a 200W solar golf cart kit means you can say goodbye to the power cord and hello to lower energy bills. Starter kits can be as little as $100, the larger units are over $1000.

Take your electronics and other stuff "off the grid"
It wasn't long ago that the components in solar power systems were so complicated that using an electrician to install them was a must. That is no longer the case however thanks to portable solar panels. Plug and play solar power kits like the Solio and HYmini allow you to gather, store, and use the sun's energy easily from anywhere. Larger systems work much the same way a computer does, you simply plug the panel into the control box (like you would a computer monitor), and then plug the control box into a battery (like you would plug the computer into the wall). Then, you just start plugging your stuff into the control box the same way you used to plug into the 220V wall socket.

This is a great system for remote cabins, work sheds, or garages. Often people that live in hurricane country keep them for backup power during tropical storms. They're great for campers and travelers who have added laptops, iPhones and stereos to their "must have" list when they're in the back country. These kits can be had for as little as $300 and are expandable.

Make your living and working space brighter and more comfortable with sun power
In some cases solar lighting has gotten a bad rap due to cheapy solar garden lights you might find at WalMart but that's no longer the case. There are, believe it or not, great solar lights out there that produce ample light, are high quality and look terrific. Many communities are doing away with the gas lamps that appear on every front lawn because they are expensive to run and maintain. Consider the effort involved with connecting just one light to the existing grid, the extra digging and splicing adds a lot of cost and energy. A nice solar lamp post light can replace the gas lamp, spruce up your yard, catch the interest of your neighbors and community and cost less than $200!

There are also tons of affordable options for heating and cooling your home with solar. Solar air heaters have recently become more popular, and they have the added benefit of using recycled cans in many cases. There are even solar air conditioners now, too. These use the sun to heat the medium in the cooling process, whereas traditional AC's use electricity. These new solar AC's are about 50% more efficient than their traditional counterparts.

So solar doesn't have to be out of reach for everyone. With a wide variety of applications and prices, solar power can help you save money and the planet.

Much of the information contained in this article was contributed by Kriss Bergethon who is a Solar Power expert and author from Colorado. For more information visit his site and check out the DIY Solar Kits.