A straight-talking book tells grid-connected homeowners how to use free energy from the sun and wind to reduce or even eliminate their electric bills, and what to expect from this independent, thoughtful lifestyle. Whether you live in the sun-soaked Southwest, or windy North Dakota, alternative energy has come of age with affordable modern technology. Now with rebates and incentives from most states, installing a home system is an economically-attractive and environmentally-responsible option. Chapters include: - Why invest in alternative energy for your home? - Is it legal and safe? - How solar electricity really works - Batteries or not? - Sizing a system to fit your home and your needs - Got Wind? - What does it cost? - Does your state offer rebates or incentives? - Permits, Paperwork and Financing - The Nuts & Bolts: what to look for, what to avoid - Who does the installation? - Extensive appendix with resources, manufacturers, sizing worksheets, glossary, and more
Got Sun? Go Solar, Expanded 2nd Edition
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Learn a new vocabulary! Take a refresher course on the electrical power of the sun and the wind! Although the enthusiasm of renewable-energy experts Ewing and Pratt might get a bit wearing, they've developed a nontechnical reference and guide for home owners thinking about pulling the plug on their utility connections. In fact, after a look at the table of contents, the appendixes just might be the right place to start figuring out whether photovoltaic panel installation makes sense geographically and financially and which states offer rebates or incentives. A host of resources is also offered. Sidebars (e.g., special meter or no?) and trivia (e.g., the watt is named after its Scottish-born inventor) plus numerous charts, illustrations, and anecdotes help demystify the science and math. No windy authors here. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
GOT SUN gets it right. Clear and concise, all the information needed by anyone who wants solar or wind energy. --Jeff Wolfe, Global Resource Options
This is the best book ever published for the lay person about residential solar energy. Besides being fun to read, it will answer every technical question the homeowner would ever want or need to know. As the solar home power business explodes in America, this well-illustrated, easy-to-read book is essential. --Neville Williams, Founder Standard Solar Inc., Solar Electric Light Company, and Solar Electric Light Fund
A book that's on topic, to the point, and well-written! Without burdening the reader with off-on-a-tangent distractions or too little information, Rex and Doug have done an excellent job in addressing the more important bits of knowledge and information sought after by those wanting to get involved with solar energy. A true value of the book is found in the Appendices: there is a great amount of information to a large number of related, from lists of component manufacturers, to state agencies, US maps of solar insolation, lists of organizations and associations, and others. --Richard Carter, GreenEnergyCafe.com
This is the best book ever published for the lay person about residential solar energy. Besides being fun to read, it will answer every technical question the homeowner would ever want or need to know. As the solar home power business explodes in America, this well-illustrated, easy-to-read book is essential. --Neville Williams, Founder Standard Solar Inc., Solar Electric Light Company, and Solar Electric Light Fund
A book that's on topic, to the point, and well-written! Without burdening the reader with off-on-a-tangent distractions or too little information, Rex and Doug have done an excellent job in addressing the more important bits of knowledge and information sought after by those wanting to get involved with solar energy. A true value of the book is found in the Appendices: there is a great amount of information to a large number of related, from lists of component manufacturers, to state agencies, US maps of solar insolation, lists of organizations and associations, and others. --Richard Carter, GreenEnergyCafe.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
125 of 128 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've lived off-grid with a PV system long enough to recognize how realistic and practical Rex's books and magazine articles on solar living are. Now preparing to build on property already furnished with grid power, I wondered whether a grid-intertie system was a good idea or if it would turn out to be just a costly indulgence of my renewable-energy philosophies. Now that I've met Rex and LaVonne, visited their PV-powered home, and read this book, I'm convinced that there will be no regrets.
Where I live there are apparently no financial incentives, other than net metering, for grid-intertie installations. This book points out that many states and localities do have quite attractive incentive programs and suggests ways to find out. If you live in such a place, lucky you! Go for it!
"Got Sun? Go Solar" doesn't provide all the information you'll need. There are too many variables: personal preference, budget, climate, local politics and attitudes, and so on. Rex and his co-author, Doug Pratt, have instead compiled a guidebook with enough technical background to understand the nature of grid-intertie technology plus resources (many on the Internet) where you can acquire the rest of the information you need.
Don't be concerned that this will be dry reading. The only "dry" is the humor that fills the book. In the world of PV energy there are many funny stories and you'll get to read some of them.
Where I live there are apparently no financial incentives, other than net metering, for grid-intertie installations. This book points out that many states and localities do have quite attractive incentive programs and suggests ways to find out. If you live in such a place, lucky you! Go for it!
"Got Sun? Go Solar" doesn't provide all the information you'll need. There are too many variables: personal preference, budget, climate, local politics and attitudes, and so on. Rex and his co-author, Doug Pratt, have instead compiled a guidebook with enough technical background to understand the nature of grid-intertie technology plus resources (many on the Internet) where you can acquire the rest of the information you need.
Don't be concerned that this will be dry reading. The only "dry" is the humor that fills the book. In the world of PV energy there are many funny stories and you'll get to read some of them.
70 of 70 people found the following review helpful
By G. Bankston
Format:Paperback
I bought the Idiot's Guide and this book.
This book covers actual equipment and actual costs, a big plus
for me. I liked the technical information, maps, diagrams and
illustrations. You can find enough information in this book to
get started. It is complete enough that it may scare some people
into hiring a contractor to do the work.
There are some important technologies coming in the field of
solar cells. A friend builds satellites, and told me of PV
cell efficiencies of up to 26% and higher coming soon. Couple
this with the world wide shortage of PV cells, makes prices high
now.
All in all, you should have this book before you buy solar electric equipment.
This book covers actual equipment and actual costs, a big plus
for me. I liked the technical information, maps, diagrams and
illustrations. You can find enough information in this book to
get started. It is complete enough that it may scare some people
into hiring a contractor to do the work.
There are some important technologies coming in the field of
solar cells. A friend builds satellites, and told me of PV
cell efficiencies of up to 26% and higher coming soon. Couple
this with the world wide shortage of PV cells, makes prices high
now.
All in all, you should have this book before you buy solar electric equipment.
63 of 65 people found the following review helpful
By Markus Egger
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you are interested in solar power, then this book will get you started. It is a quick read and it will answer a lot of questions you might have at the very beginning of your journey towards a solar-powered home. Is it going to answer all the questions? No. But it will answer your fundamental questions, and after reading this book, you will know what questions to ask next.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
nothing new
Having read everything on the internet that I could it was a rehash. I wanted a technical book but this is not it. It is written in an informal style that is a waste of words. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Allen Rosenberg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Primer on Solar
For someone researching solar power for future, this is a great book on giving information on what to know and what to further research / ask questions of a Solar Installation... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Neal
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very basic information, a first step book
This book provides only general and basic information about solar power and grid-tied home solar systems. Read more
Published 8 months ago by D. Hellwig
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction to solar that will get you thinking...
Review of first edition (there's a 2009 second edition).
My review of this book, Got Sun? Go Solar, really comes via a backdoor approach. Read more
My review of this book, Got Sun? Go Solar, really comes via a backdoor approach. Read more
Published 9 months ago by R Schmidt
4.0 out of 5 stars
wide-ranging exploration
An well-designed book (with data-filled sidebars) covering a wide range of empirical information (based on authors' experiences). Read more
Published 14 months ago by rarely complain
4.0 out of 5 stars
sunny
Very informative and easy to read. Recommend this for everybody who would like to make a change in using energy.
Published on September 19, 2010 by ilona cunningham
5.0 out of 5 stars
got sun? go solar
great book, a must for people who want to go grid tied solar. great and thorough explantions. would highly reccomend.
Published on June 7, 2010 by Terry S. Verstuyft
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine addition to any environmental studies collection
GOT SUN? GO SOLAR offers homes on the grid many options for getting off the grid in an updated, expanded new second edition. Read more
Published on October 11, 2009 by Midwest Book Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book
This definitely in no how to book. The author's intent is to make you more knowledgeable prior to having a solar technician out. Read more
Published on February 5, 2009 by Bradley P Taft
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Awesome book on renewable energy. Thanks to these tips, I now know how I will build it. AAAA++++
Published on January 27, 2009 by David M. Stiff
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