DIY Off-Grid Solar Power for Everyone: Step by Step Guide to Design, Install, and Maintain Solar Systems for Homes, RVs, Vans, and Boats

Item is perfect. Quick delivery and great quality.

An excellent book, it covered all relevant topics, these were well explained and with enough detail to undertake the installation works. Colour images would be preferred in the document rather than being referenced to links where the colour versions were available.

Good book

On one hand, I was pretty impressed with this DIY solar book. My interest was in learning about each aspect such as battery types, what components you need, calculating your power requirements, maintance and so forth. In this way, for the most part the book delivers on what it promises. I especially liked the detailed explanations of batteries, including breaking down each type of Lithium battery (yep, there is more than one type...I didn't know that.) Plus the calculations you need to do are explained in such a way that even I can get my head around them. There is some good content here, and I definitely found some of it very helpful. On the other hand... The book could be nearly half the size, as the text is large (14pt to 18pt in relation to some diagrams). Some pages are completely blank (like page 106) and the margins are very generous. This could be intentional and intended to make the book easy to follow and understand, but it takes it a bit too far. To the point it seems like its being done that wat to give the impression there will be more content than there actually is. While I found the majority of information helpful, I am confused by some of the guidance on solar controllers which seems to contradict itself in places. However, liked I mentioned the majority of information is useful and made sense. My main issue however...are some of the graphs and diagrams. They are in black & white, and I know this is a black & white book (so I wasn't expecting them to be in colour.) But the way the graphs are displayed makes them pretty much impossible to understand and deceiver. I've enclosed a photograph of one, and as you can see it's not really possible to work out what shades of grey coincide with what. To me this seems really lazy, as the graphs could have easily been produced in a different way (say with different line thicknesses or have dotted/solid/dashed lines representing different values.) Apparently you can get the colour graphs online but...being off the grid or being in a SHTF situation makes that not possible. It's a shame how it's been produced, but still not a total loss. There is some useful stuff here, and the book does seems a bit cheaper than other solar guides on the market. Still, it might not be the comprehensive complete guide you are looking for.

Good reading

Great book

Clear, ideal for a novice

This book seems a good idea ? But save your money, it is very poor quality print and the diagrams are next to useless. If I had looked at it in a book store I would have put it back :<( You live and learn they say :<(

This book is an impressively comprehensive and detailed guide that serves as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding and implementing off-grid solar systems. Its structured layout, starting from the basics of solar energy and leading up to the complexities of installation and maintenance, makes it accessible for readers of various skill levels. The first chapter sets a solid foundation for understanding the subsequent technical details. The explanation of how solar panels are made, complete with manufacturing processes, is particularly enlightening and adds depth to the reader's knowledge. The book excels in its practical approach, especially evident in the chapters discussing off-grid solar systems and electricity basics. These sections manage to simplify complex concepts like voltage, current, resistance, and the differences between AC and DC, making them understandable for non-experts. Chapters on solar batteries and panels are standout sections, offering a deep dive into different types and technologies. The information on lithium batteries and the impact of temperature on battery performance is insightful, offering practical advice for real-world applications. The guide truly shines in its detailed coverage of the installation process. The chapters dedicated to solar charge controllers, inverters, and essential DIY tools are packed with practical tips and step-by-step instructions, ensuring that even readers new to DIY projects can confidently tackle an installation. Furthermore, the book's pragmatic approach extends to its discussion of the financial aspects of off-grid solar systems. The detailed analysis of costs, financing options, and return on investment, complete with example calculations, is incredibly useful for readers planning their solar projects. This book stands out for its clarity, depth, and practicality. It strikes a perfect balance between technical detail and accessible writing, making it a must-have for anyone interested in off-grid solar power, from curious beginners to seasoned DIY enthusiasts. The author's expertise and clear passion for the subject matter shine through, making this an engaging and informative read.

I read the boo in a few days. Still to take the plunge but this book is useful as reference.

This is a great book to not only learn how to build your own off grid solar solution but really good coverage of basic electronics. The book covers the basic principles of electronics and solar energy technology and gradually builds on what it teaches until you learn how to build an off grid system. It’s well written with good illustrations.

Very good starter book for beginners. You can get an understanding of what a charge controller, inverter, and PV panels are and some basic electricity principles. Easy reading. If you don't know the difference between a PWM charge controller and a MPPT, get this book. You will get a good foundation for understanding solar power systems. One very nice feature that I haven't seen often is a list of different brands of solar system components with ratings for their quality and reliability. I strongly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about all of the components of a system and how they go together, from the PV panels to the batteries.

Helped when putting solar power for our bunkie.