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| Introduction: Why Solar Energy? | |
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| Types of Solar | |
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| What Solar Can Do | |
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| Advantages of Solar Energy | |
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| Limitations of Solar Energy | |
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| Types of Solar Panels | |
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| Passive Solar Design and Other Solar Gizmos | |
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| What's Appropriate for Your Site | |
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| Solar Availability for Your Site | |
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| Getting Acquainted with Your Solar Window | |
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| The Solar Resource | |
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| Analyzing Your Solar Window | |
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| Altering Your Solar Window | |
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| Aesthetic Concerns | |
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| Solar Access Laws and the Rules of Your Neighborhood | |
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| The Condition of Your Roof | |
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| What If My Solar Window Stinks? | |
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| Understanding Your Current Energy Usage | |
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| What Types of Energy Does Your Home Use? | |
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| What's Appropriate for Your Budget | |
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| Energy as a Service | |
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| The Cost of Photovoltaic Systems | |
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| The Cost of Solar Hot Water Systems | |
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| The Cost of Solar Heating Systems | |
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| Other Solar Device Costs | |
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| Help Paying for Your System | |
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| What the Heck's a REC or a FIT? | |
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| The Federal Tax Credit | |
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| Getting Ready for the Installation | |
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| Step 1: Create a List of Qualified Contractors | |
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| Step 2: Thoroughly Vetting the Contractors on Your List | |
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| Step 3: Setting up the Site Visit | |
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| Step 4: Referrals | |
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| Step 5: Timeline | |
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| Step 6: Paperwork | |
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| Step 7: Installation Complete! | |
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| Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) Systems | |
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| Grid-Tied versus Off-Grid | |
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| How the Magic Happens: The Nuts and Bolts of Residential Solar Electric Systems | |
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| Details of the Three Types of Solar Electric Systems | |
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| Solar Hot Water | |
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| Exceptional Advantages of Solar Water Heaters | |
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| Types of Systems and Panels | |
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| The Big System Difference: Direct Gain or Heat Exchange? | |
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| Choosing the Collector: Flat-Plate or Evacuated Tube? | |
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| A More Detailed Look at How the Different Systems Operate | |
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| Solar Pool Heating | |
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| Solar Heating | |
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| The Four Types of Solar Space Heating | |
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| What's Best for Your Climate | |
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| Fundamental Differences between Passive and Active Solar Heating Options | |
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| One Last Difference: Radiant Heat versus Forced Air | |
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| Determining Your Climate Zone: Heating Degree Days and Winter Insolation | |
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| Making the Choice: Determining the Appropriate Solar Heating Option for Your Home | |
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| Getting Down to Business: The Nitty-Gritty of Your Solar Heating Installation | |
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| Evaluating Equipment and Installers for Solar Heating Systems | |
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| Everything Else Under the Sun | |
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| Solar Clothes Dryer | |
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| Cooking with the Sun | |
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| Tried and True Solar Ovens and Cookers and Where to Get Them | |
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| Lighting the Home and Cooling the Attic | |
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| Solar in the Yard | |
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| Distillation and Food Dehydration | |
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| Moving Water: Irrigation and Fountains | |
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| Solar Battery Chargers | |
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| Other "Solar" Appliances | |
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| The Future of Solar | |
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| Large-Scale Solar Thermal Technologies | |
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| Residential Applications | |
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| Index | |
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| About the Authors | |