The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home [Paperback]

Dan Ramsey (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: August 9, 2002

Demand for solar power has grown consistently by 20 to 25% per annum over the past 20 years. In the past few years this rate has actually climbed to 40%. Why? Advances in solar cells, lower costs of using solar power, unpredictable utility rates, consumer frustration with the lack of utility choices, and environmental issues have all converged to create a renewed interest in and rising demand for solar power. Over 25 states, and many more municipalities, are now offering tax and utility credits to those who use solar energy. The Complete Idiot's GuideA (R) to Solar Power for Your Home will show average readers how to generate their own electricity with solar panels. The book will cover everything short of how to physically install solar panels-something that should be left to the experts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Ramsey is the author of more than 20 books for homebuilders and buyers including builder's construction guides, contractor business guides, and homeowner remodeling and repair books. He is the author of the The Complete Idiot's GuideA (R) to Trouble-Free Car Care, and The Complete Idiot's GuideA (R) to Building Your Own Home.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1st edition (August 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028643933
• ISBN-13: 978-0028643939
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Remodeling & Renovation > Energy Efficiency
  • #85 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Power Tools

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I guess I'm not a "Complete Idiot", August 22, 2005

By 

A. Hoch "The Pied Piper" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home (Paperback)

This truely is the "Complete Idiot's" guide to Solar Power, as much of the book is repetitive, ambiguous and impractical. There are a few nuggets in the book worthy of my money (for instance, an easy way to chart home energy usage and references for state and federal incentives) but, for the most part, Ramsey only explores solar power technology to the brink of what one can figure out for himself through common sense. Little detail is given, where detail would be appropriate, even in the context of a "Complete Idiot's" guide (except, perhaps, the constant reminder that Mr. Ramsey also has another book on the market under the "Complete Idiot's" series). I would not recommend this book for anyone wanting to know more than two or three of the dozens of useful things about solar power.

71 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a technical book, February 20, 2006

By 

John Stewart-Smith "Sarge" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home (Paperback)

If you are looking for a technical book- this book is not for you. It is only for a reader with zero knowledge about solar power who wants to know the very basics. It does not delve deeply into any aspect of solar power, rather it covers most of the subjects at a fourth grade level. The author is more interested in putting forth his environmental viewpoint than in actually educating the reader about the subject. That's fine, except why would you purchase this book if you were not already somewhat environmentally aware? Perhaps more people care about the cost savings. Pretty much the title sums it up. Only a Complete Idiot would buy it. I guess that makes me guilty as charged. In summary, if you know NOTHING about solar energy, buy this book. If you want detail and schematics etc. buy a different book.

168 of 180 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Little or no specific information in the book, August 5, 2003

By 

Robert Tipton "skeptical idealist" (Mendota, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home (Paperback)

I bought this book because I was seriously considering adding some solar elements to my current home, and I'm currently planning a new home that I wanted to incorporate as many features as possible. Unfortunately, this book did little more than gloss over the absolute basics about solar power. While it claims to include the equations you need to design a solar energy system, that claim is grossly overstated. Repeated throughout the text are reasons WHY solar energy is good for the environment, but the author has done more harm than good by producing a book that doesn't enable anyone to really go out and do it.