Build Your Own Low-Budget Solar Power System Paperback – September 21, 2014

Being a complete novice, but taking into full consideration the mess our country is in, I decided I wanted to build our own off-grid solar back-up (or permanent) small solar system. That was eight months ago and I hardly knew where to start. I read books and books, oodles of online info. watched U-tubes, went over dealers info., talked with electricians and friends. It was massive confusion! However, finally sorted out enough information regarding the basic set-up for what my family would need along with sort-of/how to put it all together. I just received Gregersens's book last week and WOW.... what I wouldn't have given to have had that book first!! It's written in plain language and for anyone wanting a low-budget off-grid system... exactly what I needed. Even though I now have most of the needed components, Gregersen provided valuable additional info and much greater clarity to the entire process. Thanks Steven!! Mary in Iowa

This book gives a good outline of what an off-grid solar panel system should look like. The author explains the many aspects that go into understanding, building, and maintaining such a system. The depth of the book, however, is quite shallow. Much more research needs to be done by the reader before they can implement the knowledge in the book. Overall, this is a great book for beginners, but if you know the basics of electricity, you may be better suited buying a more complex, in-depth book.

This is a great book. Steven shows how to design and build a low cost solor power system. He covers all the topics in a clear and concise manner that allows practical DYI type people to understand the electrical terms and components of a solar power system.He has a very informative chapter on, and some interesting ideas about, Reducing Demand.He has technical chapters on Electrical Terms, Solar Power Basics, Inverters, Generators, and Solar Power Kits. Even though these topics can be very technical full of electrical engineering-speak, he covered all the topics while keeping the examples and terms so the average DYI person should have no problem understanding the information.Overall, I think this was a very informative book and the DYI person should get plenty of useful information to design a Low-Budget Solar Power System.

This was a very useful book for understanding and planning out an off grid solar system for our cabin. The author uses great examples to explain the basic electrical concepts you need to know, without bogging you down in technical jargon. All of the components of a complete system are covered, including practical tips and opinions learned for his own experiences. It's a short read, and I now feel versed enough on the subject to start buying components and building a system that should met our needs. My recommendation if you want a practical guide to assemble a system; BUY this book!

Much good information, but centered on reducing life style to cut back on required electricity rather than using solar to maintain lifestyle without impacting the enviornment.

I think this book gives one an excellent grounding in building your own solar system and how to calculate exactly what is needed with many money saving tips. I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of installing solar power. Definitely a money saver!

I think of this book as the "start line". I highly recommend that everyone should read this book if they plan to build their own system. It will teach you how to plan out your system so that you will be able to build it the right way the first time. No wasted time and money. It also showed me how solar sales companies are selling customers things they don't need. I built a small system for my well for under $200. Now I have running water even in a power failure.

This is a great book for someone getting into solar. The author does an excellent job of explaining things in ways that are easy to understand - I wish more people would write like he does. Having gone through the book, I think that anyone could get a good solar-power system up and running with the knowledge from this book, common sense, and a reasonable understanding of how things are put together. This book was worth the money without a doubt.