As the co-owner of a California property that has never been tied to the electric grid, I can attest to the warm feeling of self-sufficiency that comes with a functioning solar power system. We’ve ...

Heat from the solar collectors is distributed through a radiant floor heating system using PEX tubing running through aluminium heat spreader plates. A hot water baseboard heating system is another ...

The sun’s energy can be captured by homemade solar hot-air collectors and thermosiphoning panels to provide free heat. The units direct air warmed by the sun through a window or wall opening into the ...

American households facing rising electricity costs are turning to a low-tech workaround: small, plug-in solar panel systems ...

If your garage door faces south you can build a set of passive solar doors that will provide heat and light, reducing your energy expenses during winter for around $400 in materials. Solar project ...

Dear Jim: We have teenage daughters who take long showers. Our water heating costs are sky high. We are on a tight budget, but want to use some solar water heating. Is there a do-it-yourself system we ...

Switch to solar with a system built for you. Many homeowners consider switching to solar energy as a better option for both the environment and their bank accounts. However, only a select few have the ...

Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Kristin is a lead editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of ...

No matter how handy you are, you might have a reason to hire a professional to install your solar panels. Here are the pros and cons of installing them yourself. If you're considering solar panels, ...