The Evolution of an Independent Home: The Story of a Solar Electric Pioneer [Paperback]

Paul Jeffrey Fowler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0964511177 | ISBN-13: 978-0964511170 | Publication Date: August 1995

The site was up a winding dirt road, in the remote hills of western Massachusetts, 1.3 miles removed from the power line. After a long search, Jeffrey Fowler found the piece of land he had been looking for -- one that he could call home. This is the story of how one man used local resources, ingenuity, imagination, and patience to create a homestead powered by the sun. Fowler, who later used his knowledge and experience to become an authority on remote solar electric homes, recounts the unique successes and struggles in developing this new technology for his lifestyle. Read this book and learn to live the good life - solar electrically.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Armed with a shoestring budget and plenty of creativity, Fowler built his home and developed into one of the country's leading authorities on solar electric homes. The book is part autobiographical and part how-to. While we follow the story on Jeff's life, we also learn how an alternative energy system works and why we need such things as inverters. For those who are technically adverse, the human element keeps the pages turning so you learn without glazing over. Fowler has a knack for making technical information accessible for the uninitiated - a talent that made his earlier books on solar electric homes popular. -- Green Living, Fall 1995

Fowler discusses building an independent homestead and living off the grid in the New England town where he grew up. There is a certain Walden Pond quality about Fowler's experience-building a home, learning about how to build it at the same time and then writing about the experience-that is appealing, and although Fowler's writing doesn't resemble Thoreau's, his firsthand knowledge of the solar electric industry over the past two decades more than makes up for the rough edges. -- Fine Homebuilding, December 1995/January 1996

Jeffrey Fowler is one the pioneers in the home solar electric field and his book is the account of his odyssey to an independent lifestyle. Along the way he became a respected solar electric expert with a successful solar electric business. If it is your intention to build a solar home, read Fowler's advice and see how to plan it from the start. -- Backwoods Home Magazine, March/April 1996

Reading this book is like having a good friend tell you how he did it because he hopes his experience will help you to decide to do it yourself.....More than any technical manual could, Fowler's book invites the reader to realize the ideals of building an earth friendly house while encouraging them to appreciate the many facets of what it takes to get the job done. -- The New Sunpaper, September 1995

The Evolution Of an Independent Home provides interesting insights for those seeking broad treatment of the whys and hows of passive solar, photovoltaics, battery storage systems, gardening, being an owner-builder, and running your own business. This book's straight-forward delivery and engaging story make it a worthwhile read. -- Northeast Sun, Autumn 1995

The inspiration and knowledge we can gain through Fowler, and his willingness to jump into his dream with both feet, are as valuable as technical data. His dream came true, and ours can too. This book is motivational and useful to anyone beginning to plan a renewable energy or efficient home project. It will help you ask many good questions, and will help you decide which answers are best for you. -- Home Power, February/March 1996

This book is for those who want to know how to build a passive solar house powered by a solar electric system. It is a working diary, interestingly written.....and easily understood. -- Rhode Island Solar Energy Association, Summer 1995

From the Publisher

The success of The Evolution of an Independent Home is best expressed by its wide range of readers. We have received letters of praise form current alternative energy users, environmentalists, architects, Y2Kers, and people who so far only dream of energy independence.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Fowler Enterprises (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964511177
• ISBN-13: 978-0964511170
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,196,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extremely clear and well written book, November 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Evolution of an Independent Home: The Story of a Solar Electric Pioneer (Paperback)

As a Biologist, I have been looking for a book that would give a clear and concise introduction to solar energy and photovoltaics. Paul Fowler's book does just that. It is written for the person who has an interest in solar power, but who does not have the technical background to immediately delve into more detailed texts. It's story format is engaging, yet also very informative. I highly recommend this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential information put forth in a personal and moving way, February 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Mohegan Lake, NY The Hudson Valley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Evolution of an Independent Home: The Story of a Solar Electric Pioneer (Paperback)

In my quest to utilize this techology, I was delighted to encounter a volume that felt like it emerged from personal experience and not simply a rote tech survey. While I am not a particularly technical person, I found the information and presentation clear and direct. There is an undercurrent of personal charm I found engaging and added to my a sence of confidence in being able to do this. My wife and I are delighted with the results of what we learned and applied based on Mr Fowlers' book. Our second home in the woods was enhanced for it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyable reading, a nice break from hi-tech., June 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Evolution of an Independent Home: The Story of a Solar Electric Pioneer (Paperback)

Found this book very interesting and easy to read. The book shows the 'human' side of this technology and the enduring spirit of a man who wanted to live independant of the utilities. A man who dared to live the simplier life and enjoyed the hard work to get there.

If only there were 240+ million more like him.