The reason for this growth in solar home energy self-help is simple. We all know by now that it is simply unsustainable to continue consuming fossil fuels at the rate that we've been doing for the last few decades.

We also notice - especially during the current adverse economic climate - that is is equally unsustainable for our household finances to continue spending growing amounts of hard-earned income on home energy needs.

And of course, the one excellent reason why you as a homeowner may want to learn how to build your own solar home energy panels, is simply because it is much cheaper than getting a ready-made system from a supplyer.

Last, but not least, if you manage to build your own solar home energy panels system, you will immediately have increased the value of your home substantially - especially taking into consideration the savings involved by doing it yourself.

Not everyone interested in solar energy for home use will go about it in the same way. While you may want to make your own solar generator by using PV cells built into arrays of solar panels, there are many other attempts involving a variety of technologies.

One interesting method which is growing in popularity is the stirling engine coupled with solar power input.

The stirling engine was originally developed - in the early 1900's - as an alternative to the steam engine, which was considered dangerous because of the pressurized steam.

More recently there has been a revival in interest in this silent and efficient engine, with modifications coupling it to a parabolic dish for concentrated sunlight. Solar radiation then supplies the external heat to set this "external combustion" engine in motion. The engine is then used to generate electricity for home use.

A successful solar stirling engine should probably produce at least 3 kilowatt, which will roughly suit the power use of an average residential home.

All said and done, currently the easiest and most cost effective way to produce a suffient amount of electricity for home use is to make your own solar home energy panels.

All the parts can be sourced cheaply, and no high-tech fiddling and manufacturing is required.

There are excellent courses and guides available with thoroughly proven methods, backed by sound theoretical knowledge.

And the benefits are clear:

- You know it works. You can rest assured that thousands of people have built their own systems successfully.

- You can significantly reduce your power bill. In fact, you can even eliminate it alltogether!

- You will save thousands compared to buying retail panels and having the system installed.

- Concerned about global warming? By building your own system you will be doing your part for the environment!

- After you install the solar panels on your home the value of your home should increase by thousands.

- You can easily start a home business by building and reselling the completed solar panels.