| | |  | Sustainable Housing | Home » » The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home | | | | | | | Description: | | Demand for solar power has grown consistently by 20 to 25% per annum over the past 20 years. In the past few years this rate has actually climbed to 40%. Why? Advances in solar cells, lower costs of using solar power, unpredictable utility rates, consumer frustration with the lack of utility choices, and environmental issues have all converged to create a renewed interest in and rising demand for solar power. Over 25 states, and many more municipalities, are now offering tax and utility credits to those who use solar energy. The Complete Idiot's GuideA (R) to Solar Power for Your Home will show average readers how to generate their own electricity with solar panels. The book will cover everything short of how to physically install solar panels-something that should be left to the experts. | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Dan Ramsey | | Paperback:
| 336 pages | | Publisher:
| Alpha | | Publication Date:
| August 09, 2002 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0028643933 | | Package Length:
| 8.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 7.32 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.79 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.1 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 13 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 13 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
105 of 107 found the following review helpful:
 I guess I'm not a "Complete Idiot"Aug 22, 2005
By A. Hoch
"The Pied Piper"
This truely is the "Complete Idiot's" guide to Solar Power, as much of the book is repetitive, ambiguous and impractical. There are a few nuggets in the book worthy of my money (for instance, an easy way to chart home energy usage and references for state and federal incentives) but, for the most part, Ramsey only explores solar power technology to the brink of what one can figure out for himself through common sense. Little detail is given, where detail would be appropriate, even in the context of a "Complete Idiot's" guide (except, perhaps, the constant reminder that Mr. Ramsey also has another book on the market under the "Complete Idiot's" series). I would not recommend this book for anyone wanting to know more than two or three of the dozens of useful things about solar power.
71 of 71 found the following review helpful:
Not a technical bookFeb 20, 2006
By John Stewart-Smith
"Sarge"
If you are looking for a technical book- this book is not for you. It is only for a reader with zero knowledge about solar power who wants to know the very basics. It does not delve deeply into any aspect of solar power, rather it covers most of the subjects at a fourth grade level. The author is more interested in putting forth his environmental viewpoint than in actually educating the reader about the subject. That's fine, except why would you purchase this book if you were not already somewhat environmentally aware? Perhaps more people care about the cost savings. Pretty much the title sums it up. Only a Complete Idiot would buy it. I guess that makes me guilty as charged. In summary, if you know NOTHING about solar energy, buy this book. If you want detail and schematics etc. buy a different book.
168 of 180 found the following review helpful:
 Little or no specific information in the bookAug 05, 2003
By Robert Tipton
"skeptical idealist"
I bought this book because I was seriously considering adding some solar elements to my current home, and I'm currently planning a new home that I wanted to incorporate as many features as possible. Unfortunately, this book did little more than gloss over the absolute basics about solar power. While it claims to include the equations you need to design a solar energy system, that claim is grossly overstated. Repeated throughout the text are reasons WHY solar energy is good for the environment, but the author has done more harm than good by producing a book that doesn't enable anyone to really go out and do it.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Ok...but most of the information can be found for free....Jul 15, 2007
By Peter Feige
"jedi_008"
I was really hoping this book would have a little bit mor "meat" to it, but unfortunantly, it merely repeated all the information I found doing free web searches. What I was looking for was a more nuts and bolts book and this is a very generic overview. For example, the chapter on installing solar panels is only 4 pages long and has no diagrams or actual installation tips. The chapter only said to consult a reputable electrician. Um, I kinda already knew that.....
41 of 56 found the following review helpful:
 Simple guide to a complex topicJan 21, 2003
Solar power makes sense. But learning how to put it to work is a little more complex -- until Dan Ramsey's book arrived. He clearly explains not only the basics of solar power, but also tells how to make sense of the technologies that turn solar energy into solar power. Easy to read. Lots of resources. A glowing foreword's written by the founder of the Solar Living Institute, John Schaeffer. A great read!
See all 13 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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