Do you want to convert your homes into solar power homes for energy? That may be the wisest choice that you will ever do. Not only will you be able to save on electric bills, you will also be doing your part in saving the environment. More and more people are turning to the sun for a clean and steady source of energy. Many people think that this type of technology is expensive. In fact, there is a cheaper and easier solution to this dilemma.

Not so long ago, the idea of homeowners owning and maintaining their solar power generators was far-fetched and almost impossible. Previously, such technology is available and privy only to large organizations, both government and private with the know-how and capital. The public neither had the resources or the knowledge to tap on such technologies in the past.

But right now, thanks to people like Al Gore, the world is changing. More and more people are becoming aware that unless we do our part, the world will become a very hot and difficult place to live in – few of the many grave effects global warming can bring about. Everybody is now also mindful of the high cost of electricity. With the current global economic meltdown, everyone is feeling the pinch, forcing people to look for alternative ways to save money.

Currently, building your own solar panels for personal use is much easier and less costly compared to several years ago. The materials can be purchased through local hardware stores or through different sources on the Internet. Just set aside $200 dollars and you will be set to go. The materials you will need are the following: (1) small solar cells, (2) batteries and wiring, (3) DIY equipment, and (4) backing board.

The steps are quite easy and manageable. Attach the solar panels to the board. After that, you then wire it up and connect it to the batteries. And lastly, you take the panels to a sunny location. This is just a crash course; if you want something more elaborate and more efficient, you have to purchase a copy of renewable energy for home guide that. There are many different versions sold through online retailers.

Setting up such a power system may sound costly initially, but in the long run you will realize that it is the most sensible investment you ever made. Solar power homes are indeed the way of the future.

Solar power

What do you get when you mix chocolate and wine? In the case of Clean Solar, Inc., you get solar. Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Randy Zechman, is the founder of City Chocolate Fountains (the largest chocolate fountain rental company in the United States). Jeff Ritchey is a San Jose native and wine guru. He is a wine consultant for Pichetti Winery, San Saba winery, and has two of his own labeled wines. Together, they are the co-founders of Clean Solar, a Silicon Valley solar installer and integrator.

Randy Zechman will readily admit that he is a serial entrepreneur. Just over a year ago, with two successful businesses in his portfolio: City Chocolate Fountains and World 2 Do, Inc., Zechman was ready for a new challenge. Zechman and a friend of eight years, Jeff Ritchey, an award-winning winemaker, regularly attended a monthly Bay Area speaker series with a group of friends. After every speaker they would end up at a local restaurant debating the subject matter of that night’s speech, global warming and the health of the earth were often the center of those debates, which resulted in them seeing Al Gore speak at the State of the Valley conference in early 2007.

After seeing Al Gore speak on solutions for protecting our planet, Zechman began to research the solar power industry. Ritchey, while continuing to grow his label, Sensorium Wines, was also showing increased interest in the green movement, realizing that green technology was an ideal fit with his knowledge in geology, winemaking and construction.

More on Wine and Chocolate Create Solar Power