Book excerpt: This is a must for those who are tired of power brownouts and blackouts, skyrocketing energy bills and the feeling that there is nothing we can do to help resolve these problems ourselves. Don't wait for utility bill sticker shock to worsen, or sit through another power outage or energy disruption. This new edition of the guide can help readers to seize their own destiny, become more self-reliant and use the available technology to make their homes more comfortable and their power bills more affordable. Two experts on solar energy have updated their classic guide for homeowners and businesses. Learn about numerous new products, proven reliable and effective, which are now available on the shelves of hardware stores, home supply centres and other outlets. The new edition includes updated information on solar energy tax credits and a host of new state programs supporting clean energy. The incentives total over $3 billion for clean energy installations, and the authors provide a quick guide to accessing these and other consumer benefits.