If you've ever thought about building your own solar panels, there's literally never been a better time to get started. Advancements in science and nanotechnology have made creating do it yourself (DIY) solar panels extremely effective and affordable. And with the winter months ahead of us, and many of us out of work, it's more important than ever to find ways to lower that energy bill. Besides, it's good for the planet, and the sun isn't going anywhere.

Before we begin, let's take a closer look at how solar power works and why it's an excellent choice for a DIY project:

• Property value: Solar systems are highly valued property assets as they provide clean and renewable power. Many home owners install solar right before selling their houses for a quick boost in sales.

• Cost Effective: Sunlight is free, so you're essentially producing free energy. Your only cost is the initial installation which can cost thousands of dollars. Many people see returns on their investment in a few years, but DIY solar can cost less than $200.

• EARN MONEY: Yes! You can even sell your excess energy back to the electric company, which then uses it to power other homeowners on the grid. Imagine having the electric company sending you a check each month - it's happening to people across the US right now!
• Dead Simple: There exist step-by-step guides that will hold your hand through building your solar panels, making the process foolproof and actually pretty fun!

• Smart: Investing in renewable energy is a no brainier, and will have your monthly bills dropping off in no time at all. It takes is a few days, not weeks.

• Pure, Clean, Renewable: Solar energy is unique in that it produces no negative byproducts back into the environment. It's also available in most parts of the world and requires little to no maintenance once setup

A common misconception is where solar can be placed and how much space it takes up. Most people place solar panels on their roofs, but the reality is you can just as easily place them on vacant land. As long as they are in the sun, you're good to go. And with advancements in technology, panels are becoming smaller and more powerful each passing day.

There are lots of companies that specialize in solar installation, but these can cost you thousands of dollars, which will eat into your profits. With these services it may take months and months before you get your money back with your panels. And then there's the maintenance costs of having these things fixed - it's not cheap. A much smarter but less publicized method is DIY solar. Learning how to make your own can save you time and money, and eliminate future maintenance costs because you'll know every inch of your panels. A step-by-step instructional guide, and video tutorial will have you up and running in no time at all. And best of all, the price for DIY installation guides are as little as $50 and the overall costs for the materials required for the building process won't take more than $200 - total. You will literally save thousands of dollars with a DIY solution.

There are a few bogus products out there to watch out for - there always is when there's something this incredible in the marketplace.