Real Goods Solar Living Source Book-Special 30th Anniversary Edition: Your Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living (Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook) (Paperback)

June 13, 2009 by admin · 8 Comments
Filed under: Solar Power 

Real Goods Solar Living Source Book-Special 30th Anniversary Edition: Your Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living (Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook)

Concerns over dwindling resources and environmental degradation are driving many to seek alternatives to our wasteful, polluting lifestyle. Clean technologies such as solar power, wind power, and biodiesel fuel are soaring in popularity. Real Goods Solar Living Source Book-Special 30th Anniversary Edition is the ultimate guide to renewable energy, sustainable living, green building, homesteading, off-the-grid living, and alternative transportation, written by experts with decades of experience and a passion for sharing their knowledge. This fully updated edition includes brand-new sections on Peak Oil, climate change, relocalization, natural burial, biodynamics, and permaculture. It also boasts the latest product listings and completely rewritten and expanded chapters on: Land and shelter Natural building Passive solar Biofuels Sustainable transportation Grid-tied photovoltaics Solar hot water systems Plus, over 150 pages of maps, wiring diagrams, formulae, charts, solar sizing worksheets, and much more Whether you’re a layperson or a professional, novice or longtime aficionado, the new sourcebook puts the latest research and products at your fingertips-all the information you need to make sustainable living a reality. John Schaeffer is the president and founder of Real Goods, the oldest and largest catalog company devoted to the sale and service of renewable-energy products. Now merged with Gaiam, Real Goods has converted over sixty thousand homes to solar energy since 1978, when it sold the very first photovoltaic module in America. Real Goods hosts the annual SolFest at its Solar Living Center headquarters in Hopland, California.

About the Author
John Schaeffer is the President and founder of Real Goods the oldest and largest catalog company devoted to the sale and service of renewable energy products and a pioneer in the environmental, healthy living and sustainability markets. The recipient of numerous awards, Real Goods hosts an annual SolFest at its Solar Living Center headquarters in Hopland, California.

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The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solar Power for your Home, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

May 30, 2009 by admin · 5 Comments
Filed under: Solar Power 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for your Home, 2nd Edition

The perfect source for solar power—fully illustrated. Solar Power (photovoltaics) is now a one-billion-dollar industry, and it’s poised to grow rapidly in the near future as more pressure is placed on limited fossil fuel resources and as advances in solar technology drive down the costs of residential solar systems. This book helps readers understand the basics of solar power and other renewable energy sources, explore whether solar power makes sense for them, what their options are, and what’s involved with installing various on and off-grid systems. —Fully illustrated —Covers every conceivable solar-power topic and concern, including updated information on the increasing number of state rebate and incentive programs

About the AuthorDan Ramsey is the author of more than 20 books for homebuilders and buyers, including construction and business guides and homeowner remodeling and repair books. David Hughes is the founder and president of Affordable Solar Group, LLC, one of the nationÂ’s largest designers and distributors of renewable energy systems and services.

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Windpower Workshop: Building Your Own Wind Turbine (Paperback)

May 27, 2009 by admin · 2 Comments
Filed under: Wind Turbine 

Windpower Workshop: Building Your Own Wind Turbine


As the true costs of fossil fuels are revealed, the ancient art of windpower is making a steady comeback, and many countries are promoting wind energy generation as part of a drive toward a sustainable future. Yet many environmental enthusiasts prefer a more do-it-yourself approach. Windpower Workshop provides all the essential information for the individual wanting to build and maintain a windpower system for their own energy needs.
–This text refers to the

Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Hugh Piggott runs his own succesful windpower business in Scotland. He advises individuals and companies in Britain and abroad on windpower turbines and systems. He has been teaching others how to build windmills for twenty years and has been featured as an advisor to the BBC television program, “Castaway.”
–This text refers to the

Paperback
edition.
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Got Sun? Go Solar: Get Free Renewable Energy to Power Your Grid-Tied Home (Paperback)

May 16, 2009 by admin · 10 Comments
Filed under: Solar Power 

Got Sun? Go Solar: Get Free Renewable Energy to Power Your Grid-Tied Home

From Booklist
Learn a new vocabulary! Take a refresher course on the electrical power of the sun and the wind! Although the enthusiasm of renewable-energy experts Ewing and Pratt might get a bit wearing, they’ve developed a nontechnical reference and guide for home owners thinking about pulling the plug on their utility connections. In fact, after a look at the table of contents, the appendixes just might be the right place to start figuring out whether photovoltaic panel installation makes sense geographically and financially and which states offer rebates or incentives. A host of resources is also offered. Sidebars (e.g., special meter or no?) and trivia (e.g., the watt is named after its Scottish-born inventor) plus numerous charts, illustrations, and anecdotes help demystify the science and math. No windy authors here. Barbara JacobsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
GOT SUN gets it right. Clear and concise, all the information needed by anyone who wants solar or wind energy. — Jeff Wolfe, Global Resource OptionsGOT SUN gets it right. Clear and concise, all the information needed by anyone who wants solar or wind energy. –Jeff Wolfe, Global Resource Options

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Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)) (Paperback)

May 7, 2009 by admin · 9 Comments
Filed under: Solar Power 

Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden))


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 Your Home For Dummies takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you! This friendly, hands-on guide is packed with tips for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power—and helping the planet at the same time. You’ll see how to survey your home to determine your current household energy efficiency and use, and evaluate where solar power would best benefit you. You’ll also calculate what the return on your investment will be before you make any decisions. Once you’ve decided on a project, you’ll see whether it’s best to hire a contractor or do it yourself. We leave no stone unturned—you’ll also discover how to: Choose and install your best solar system Handle small to large solar projects Heat and cool your house with solar energy Install exterior solar lighting Handle swimming pool, water heater, or ventilation solar projects Create greenhouses or solar rooms Build, buy, or sell a solar home Finance your solar investments Take advantage of tax rebates and incentives associated with solar power Avoid the worst solar mistakes Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest do-it-yourself solar projects, Solar Power Your Home For Dummies is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

From the Back CoverFeatures the ten best solar investments Make your home energy efficient and put solar power to work for you! Want to take advantage of solar power? This friendly, hands-on guide takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to do everything from adding small components to your home to building a solar-powered house from the ground up. You’ll see how to heat and cool your home, create solar rooms, install solar lighting, and much more. Discover how to: Choose the best solar system for your needs Handle small to large solar projects Build, buy, or sell a solar home Finance your solar investments Avoid the worst solar mistakes

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