In these times of economic uncertainty and ecological damage, finding ways to save money and help the environment are positive steps that everyone should try and do.
One thing that you can do is to try your hand at making homemade solar panels.
A project of this sort takes some skill, but is not too difficult for an amateur to attempt.
There are a number of tutorials and videos available that can teach you how to start the project.
There are two basic components to the panel.
The first part involves building a shallow box with a transparent top that will contain your photovoltaic cells.
The box should really be no deeper than about an inch or two depending upon how you mount the cells.
It must be shallow so that the walls of the box will not block the sun and cast a shadow on the box's contents.
The most costly part of the project will be in attaining the solar cells that you will need to complete the entire panel.
You can buy individual solar cells new or look at various locations for used or damaged ones which can still work.
Once you have the cells, you will need to solder them together to create a circuit.
A solar panel is essentially a collection of solar cells connected in series.
Individual cells usually produce about 1/2 volt.
If you connect them in series, 36 cells should produce about 18 volts which is plenty for charging batteries or running small appliances around your house.
The average American household uses about 31 kilowatt-hours per day.
It would take several 36-cell panels to meet that need.
Even so, each unit of electrical energy you produce on your own helps your wallet and helps the Earth.
Making homemade solar panels is a project that is not too difficult.
If you are handy with electronics, it may be a good project for you.