| It was always my dream of living a life completely | | | | a "Do It Yourself" guide that will show you how to build |
| energy independent. The thought of living "off-grid" has | | | | both solar panels and wind turbines with readily |
| intrigued me for a long time not only because of the | | | | available materials. This was exactly what I was |
| tremendous savings that I might see from producing | | | | looking for! |
| my own power but the added knowledge that I was | | | | The cost of the book and materials kept the project in |
| helping the environment and also no longer dependent | | | | the ballpark of what one would consider reasonable |
| upon any person or entity for my electrical needs. | | | | and also kept the time required to earn back my initial |
| My interests include solar power, wind power, mini | | | | investment short. I did like the fact that the materials |
| hydroelectric and also ethanol. Mini hydroelectric is sort | | | | were easy to find locally and the instructions were |
| of out of the question at the moment since I don't | | | | easy to understand. As a matter of fact, the |
| have a small stream on my property, but I know that | | | | information was laid out in such an easy to understand |
| one day I will and then can begin to dabble in this | | | | manner that I felt that it was almost overdone or |
| aspect of alternative energy. In the meantime, my | | | | oversimplified although the information was not found |
| focus has been on solar and wind power. | | | | to be lacking. Basically, I believe this book was written |
| In my quest for energy independence I first started | | | | with the complete novice in mind so anyone who can |
| looking at the commercially available options and was | | | | read and follow instructions can build a solar panel or |
| blown away by the cost of solar panels and wind | | | | wind turbine from these instructions. For some, like me, |
| turbines. It would have taken me years to break even. I | | | | this may make the book a bit boring yet still informative |
| then searched for free resources on the internet with | | | | and others will appreciate the manner in which this |
| limited success. Like the old saying goes, "you get | | | | guide is laid out. I did used to work construction when I |
| what you pay for!" I will admit that there is a lot of | | | | was younger but my neighbors 14 year old son took a |
| information out on the internet that will teach you | | | | look at the plans and felt confident that he could |
| theory and practice to help you understand solar and | | | | complete the project successfully. |
| wind power and there are some good free plans for | | | | Overall, I liked the book "Make Natural Power" and |
| solar hot water heaters but what I was looking for | | | | was able to build both the solar panel and wind turbine |
| was an inexpensive way to start generating my own | | | | for under $200. I haven't calculated how much I have |
| power as soon as possible. | | | | saved on my electric bill but do notice a difference and |
| What I found that helped me to take the first step in | | | | other reviewers have said that they noticed a |
| the direction of energy independence using alternative | | | | significant savings in their electric bills. |
| energy was a book called "Make Natural Power." It is | | | | |