Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Playing the Energy Game.

Chapter 1: Helping the World through Solar Power.

Chapter 2: Surveying Your Household Energy Efficiency and Use.

Chapter 3: Making Your Home Energy Efficient.

Part II: Understanding Solar — Just the Facts, Ma'am.

Chapter 4: Working with Solar Basics.

Chapter 5: Evaluating Your Solar Potential.

Chapter 6: Calculating Payback on Your Solar Investment.

Chapter 7: Installing Your Solar System.

Part III: Applications Aplenty: Projects from Small to Large.

Chapter 8: Digging In to Landscape Projects.

Chapter 9: Jumping In to Small Projects with Big Results.

Chapter 10: Heating and Purifying Water.

Chapter 11: Diving In to Swimming Pool Projects.

Chapter 12: Supplementing Your Domestic Water Heater.

Chapter 13: Breezeway: Directing Wind within Your House.

Chapter 14: Solar Pumps, Wind Power, Hydro Power, and Batteries in Applications.

Chapter 15: Glass Houses (and Plastic, Too): Greenhouses and Sunrooms.

Part IV: Exploring Full-Scale Photovoltaic Systems.

Chapter 16: Taking a Close Look at Photovoltaic Systems.

Chapter 17: Is a Full-Scale PV System Worth the Investment?

Chapter 18: Divorcing the Grid: Going Solo with Solar Power Systems.

Chapter 19: Do It Yourself or Contract Out?

Chapter 20: Finding the Cash to Get the Job Done.

Part V: Buying, Selling, and Building a Solar Home.

Chapter 21: Building a Solar Home from the Ground Up.

Chapter 22: Buying and Selling a Solar Home.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 23: Ten Best Solar Investments.

Chapter 24: Ten or So Best Do-It-Yourself Projects.

Chapter 25: Ten Cheap Solar Projects and Devices.

Chapter 26: Ten or So Worst Solar Mistakes.

Index.

About the Author

Rik DeGunther is the founder of Efficient Homes, an energy auditing and consulting firm. He holds a BS in Engineering Physics and dual Masters degrees in Applied Physics and Engineering Economic Systems. Rik is also the author of Energy Efficient Homes For Dummies and Alternative Energy For Dummies.