Also, the Greek s use of solar energy were not limited to religious purposes, as they even used the solar energy system to incorporate passive solar design in the construction of their houses. The Romans simply improved the Greek s design and also incorporated windows into their structures, allowing them to be able to trap more solar heat. You can actually build your own solar cell panel for only $100 or less by finding the best and most affordable sources. You can start looking for green companies. These companies offer some of the best prices and high quality materials to encourage people to choose environmentally friendly options in acquiring energy. Expect solar panels to last for up to 3 decades if well-maintained. Here are some tips on how to begin your project. Starting Out Begin with the sandpaper and use it to scour the different regions of the copper of one of the available sheets. There should be no corrosion whatsoever on the copper for the process. Introduction to Active Solar Energy Active solar energy is used by several homes, offices and other structures today because of its many benefits. Generally, active solar energy is described as the use of mechanical devices to gather, store and distribute solar energy inside the home. Active solar energy water heating systems use pumps so that water is circulated well within the system. Solar Energy Net Metering Net metering is actually a means for people who use solar energy to power up their homes or work place to be able to sell back to the utility company whatever excess electricity that their home or work place is able to produce using solar energy technology, but is not able to use up. The connection will be to the utility panel so that appliances and lights will work the same way when the switch is turned on. On Storage If the house is not using a lot of electricity from the solar energy created, the excess energy can be stored in a battery. When the sun is out, during night time or in the case of a power shortage or outage, the battery can be used to power different items in the home.