Extreme home improvement: DIY photovoltaic array

Doug Nordman

40

Local solar? Last week's post on photovoltaic systems presented the finances without much engineering. We had a guest post this week on more photovoltaic "rent vs own" decisions, but this post will focus on the construction. When I describe the system that we built, our choices were mostly driven by finances. ...

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The Bright Side of Solar Power Purchase Agreements

Eddie Wills

20

I recently signed a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and had Ten Photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on the roof of the GubMints Home. I have been 'kicking the tires' of rooftop solar for about 2 years now, soliciting bids once every 6-10 months. Until recently, most of the bids involved an outlay of anywhere ...

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Extreme home improvement: the finances of your residential photovoltaic array

Doug Nordman

80

          .   A reader writes: I remember reading somewhere that you had installed solar panels onto your house yourself. You mentioned that you were able to do it in cheap enough that the initial outlay of cash was completely covered by tax rebates. My husband and ...

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Save money by fixing your own plumbing

Doug Nordman

30

    Everybody wants to save money to reach financial independence, but it's even more challenging to avoid unnecessary expenses. Sometimes "spending avoidance" requires sweat equity, training, and experience. Other times you can avoid expenses with a little knowledge and good habits. The trick is to ...

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DIY home improvement

Doug Nordman

00

It's Monday and many of you are probably at work wishing you were out surfing.  If you're stuck in a quiet air-conditioned office, then let me put up an eye-candy post that'll make you glad to be sitting there.  Sorry, no surfing scenes-- this will be noisy & sweaty demolition and construction. This post started ...

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DIY home maintenance

Doug Nordman

20

Old toilet, discolored porcelain, and mineral stains       I was ready to wax our old toilet. But before I explain that teaser, let me talk about a critical aspect of financial independence: DIY-- doing it yourself. When you're working 60 hours a week (or deployed for a 168-hour ...

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