Product Details

• Actors: Bob Nagy
• Directors: Bob Nagy
• Format: NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 3
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Green Power Videos
• DVD Release Date: June 2, 2009
• Run Time: 240 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002BX0LU8
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,071 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This DVD set is a 4 hour, 16 chapter comprehensive course on the installation of Off-Grid photovoltaic solar power electric systems. It is designed to take the complete beginner to full competency.

The course is taught by Bob Nagy who is the teacher in over 40 videos on high-tech subjects. Bob's bio includes 20 years at the University of Texas, ABC TV, and NASA. His clear and friendly style bring the concepts across so that they are easily understandable. Every idea is demonstrated and shown in actual use. You will learn:

How solar panels make electricity
How to use a Multi-Tester
Basic Electronics
How to solder correctly
Everything about Batteries
Charge Controllers
Inverters
Panel mounting and fabrication
Sun tracking
System estimation
Tax incentives
System Maintenance

Bob will walk you through each decision you'll have to make when designing a system. You'll also examine several systems to see exactly how they were done. There is as well a bonus chapter on lowering your current energy use by 30%-40% so you can use a smaller solar system and save money.

This is equal to what you would get in a semester-long intensive solar power course at a university. That said, it is geared to the total beginner and if you can handle small tools, you can become an expert solar power installer. Invest a small amount so that you'll have one of the most in-demand skills in the coming years. Even if you are only installing your own small system, you will need to know what is in this video course.

You will see a lot of very colorful websites offering solar informational videos out there. Most are just quickly produced over-views of the subject. If you are committed to learning everything about how solar is really done, this is the course. It is a fully comprehensive series at a very low price. The list price is $79. Amazon has the lowest legal discount price on it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Solar Education, October 5, 2009

By	M. Stitt "Solar Dude" (Meecham Ave, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This course is a great introduction to solar power and is well worth it. It is presented in a very clear way for us non-techies. Make sure you know the contents of the material before you have some sales guy smooth talk you through buying a system that does not meet your needs. This course beets the Fuvusa, Macelwain, and Abella books that I have read in the past.

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, a legit course for the rest of us!, July 8, 2009

By	Karen Holcomb "Hildegard Gurch" (Midsouthland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Have you gone out and purchased solar panels and then asked yourself - "What now?". Then you need to have a look at this 3 DVD instructional video set to answer that question. Bob Nagy has set up what could pass as a technical school course on the installation of battery stored solar panels. The language is as basic as it can be given the subject, and he hand-holds you through the elementary electronics. Don't be scared!

Even if you end up hiring a professional after all - or - decide to go with a grid-tie system, this course will teach you what you need to know to make a truly informed decision about how you'll use your panels, the pros and cons of battery back-up over grid-tie, and how to get the most efficiency out of your panels.

If you haven't purchased panels yet, the course will help you figure out what you'll need to buy, and could easily save you the price of the DVD by helping you make the right purchase for what you're trying to power.

It would be nice if you could just watch the course linearly, instead of going back to the menu each time, but that's a minor consideration. If you're really trying to take in this information, you'll need to plough through it a chapter at a time anyway and take notes.

Considering what you'll learn from it, this video course is a true bargain.