Guest Post: Shane Shirley-Smith from Environmental Booty

I don’t know about you, but life seems to move very fast these days.  I seem to never have enough time in my day to finish all the things that I would like to. Trying to fit in a green lifestyle, though, doesn’t have to  be time consuming.  Here are 5 ways to start greening your life today…with very little effort.

1. Never leave a room with the light on - I have heard the argument that the power company will keep making as much power even if you turn off your lights, computer and electronics when not in use.  But it will save on your power bill and eventually, if we all reduce our electrical use, the power companies will be forced to produce less energy…or they will be forced out of business. …continue reading It’s the Little Things When Going Green

The U.S. is a proverbial mecca for do-it-yourselfers. From our ancestral days of pioneers and homesteaders, we’ve trusted nothing more than our own hands to get a job done right. America is a land of invention and innovation (even if the manufacturing has moved elsewhere). So, when the solar power  took off in lieu of global warming and high energy costs, many Americans stared right into the eyes of a technology widely regarded as scientific and esoteric and said, “Hey, I can do that!”

Photo Credit: GreenTerraFirma

Thus was born DIY solar. Indeed, in light of the high up-front costs of solar power panels, DIY solar is a very sexy prospect. A little sweat equity can cut installation costs in half. And in the internet age, there is no shortage of on-demand how-to tips and instructions. HOWEVER, going solar by yourself does have its drawbacks, given the nature of the work and the current slate of incentives out there promoting professional installations.

Here’s the skinny on DIY solar:

DIY: The Upsides

The upside of DIY solar is the same as DIY anything – no paying for labor. It may take more time and it may take more effort, but in the end, you’ve got a solar system for considerably less than the do-little neighbor next door. Right? Maybe. …continue reading The Skinny on DIY Solar

Everyone knows that solar systems save you money in the long run.  But how much will you end up paying for maintenance throughout the years?  Let’s break down the potential cost factors. For instance, you’ll need two to three inverters over the life of your panels and those inverter costs a few thousand dollars each.  But what other costs are lurking around the corner?

Photo Credit: Daily Green

PV systems are sort of like a car – you know something’s going to need repair, but you can’t predict what that part will be until it fails.  There’s a paper written by three solar industry professionals that states that only half of all installed systems are working at their peak capability. The other half are performing optimally.  That’s a touch worrisome for those thinking of the massive outlay that it takes to go solar in the home.  Silly little things can get in the way of an optimal performing system. …continue reading How Much Maintenence Will My Solar System Need In Its Lifespan?