I am going to start a project to run my home lighting for free using normal commercially available products. The plan is to set up 2-3 energy savings lamps with a solar panel and inverter all for under $150 total. The goal is to drop energy consumption in the home. If I can power all the lights in the home from solar alone, the results would be a savings of between 20 to 30% on the electric bill.

Tests have shown that 30% of the average US household electric bill is from lighting alone.

I will be posting plans, sources and results as this project progresses.

I have about 25 years of experience in electricity, and electronics ranging from DIY home made table fan wind generators to solar to radiant energy chargers.

I will be using a variety of lamps ranging from LEDs to 12 volt fluorescent lamps to energy savings bulbs. The batteries used will be simple 12 volt alarm system batteries that are available around the world for relatively low prices. I will use standard off-the-shelf inverters and solar panels.

Now, let's consider that it is currently mid-winter and the worst time for solar. This will be the best time for extreme stress tests on the system.

Let's see what happens...