Solar Electricity Handbook 2011: A Simple Practical Guide to Solar Energy - Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar Electric Systems - Michael Boxwell (2011)

A Final Word

Solar electric power is an excellent and practical resource. It can be harnessed relatively easily and effectively.

It is not without its drawbacks and it is not suitable for every application. To get the best out of a solar electric system, it is important to do your planning first and to be meticulous with detail. Only then will you have a system that will perform properly.

From an enthusiast’s perspective, designing and building a solar electric system from scratch is interesting, educational and fun. If you are tempted to have a go, start with something small like a shed light, and feel free to experiment with different ideas.

If you are a professional architect or builder, you should now have a clear idea of how solar energy can be used in your projects: its benefits and its drawbacks.

It is quite amazing, the first time you connect a solar panel up to an electrical item such as a light bulb and watch it power up straight away. Even though you know it is going to work, there is something almost magical about watching a system that generates electricity seemingly from thin air!

Teaching children about solar electricity is also fun. There are small solar powered kits suitable for children. These can be assembled by little fingers and they teach the fundamentals of electricity and solar power in a fun and interesting way.

If this book has inspired you to install a solar electric system yourself, then it has served its purpose. I wish you the very best for your project.

All the best

Michael Boxwell
January, 2012