Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I was really hoping this book would have a little bit mor "meat" to it, but unfortunantly, it merely repeated all the information I found doing free web searches. What I was looking for was a more nuts and bolts book and this is a very generic overview. For example, the chapter on installing solar panels is only 4 pages long and has no diagrams or actual installation tips. The chapter only said to consult a reputable electrician. Um, I kinda already knew that.....

Solar power makes sense. But learning how to put it to work is a little more complex -- until Dan Ramsey's book arrived. He clearly explains not only the basics of solar power, but also tells how to make sense of the technologies that turn solar energy into solar power. Easy to read. Lots of resources. A glowing foreword's written by the founder of the Solar Living Institute, John Schaeffer. A great read!

This book was a complete waste of money and covered vague basic facts about solar. Not for any body wanting to learn do it your self installs or solar applications. I learned more in elementary school about solar power than this book had in it. A complete waste. Guess I am an idiot for buying it.

I had tried to learn about solar power online, but quickly got lost by wattage, amperes, voltage, batteries, inverters, etc. Then I purchased this book, and it cleared it all up for me! I wish I had just picked the book up first. It was a great intro to solar power (and it also covers solar heating, passive solar, solar landscaping, and even a little on wind and water power too). Highly recommended for those needing an introduction!

This is a good introduction into solar technology for the home. The problem is that this technology is changing so rapidly that any book is quickly out of date.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for your home is a very good start for people who have started to think about using solar energy for their homes. If you don't know much about the subject of solar energy this book will help you get started !

I'm the author of THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO SOLAR POWER FOR YOUR HOME and take exception to the review by Robert Tipton "skeptical idealist." Yes, this book is aimed at those who have little knowledge of solar power and want to know more. That's the point! It's an introduction to the topic. Once the decision to solarize is made (it's not for everyone), there's much how-to information here to guide the reader through the process including buying, selecting, and installing a system that fits individual needs and budget. There are many other great technical books about the solar power option, including those offered by Real Goods, whose president wrote the foreword to and recommended this book. THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO SOLAR POWER FOR YOUR HOME offers intelligent readers the basics of a topic new to them. Please don't pan a book because it isn't for you. Thanks. --Dan