The Evolution of an Independent Home: The Story of a Solar Electric Pioneer

Description

Armed with a shoestring budget and plenty of creativity, Fowler built his home and developed into one of the country’s leading authorities on solar electric homes. The book is part autobiographical and part how-to. While we follow the story on Jeff’s life, we also learn how an alternative energy system works and why we need such things as inverters. For those who are technically adverse, the human element keeps the pages turning so you learn without glazing over. Fowler has a knack for making technical information accessible for the uninitiated – a talent that made his earlier books on solar electric homes popular. — Green Living, Fall 1995

Fowler discusses building an independent homestead and living off the grid in the New England town where he grew up. There is a certain Walden Pond quality about Fowler’s experience-building a home, learning about how to build it at the same time and then writing about the experience-that is appealing, and although Fowler’s writing doesn’t resemble Thoreau’s, his firsthand knowledge of the solar electric industry over the past two decades more than makes up for the rough edges. — Fine Homebuilding, December 1995/January 1996

Jeffrey Fowler is one the pioneers in the home solar electric field and his book is the account of his odyssey to an independent lifestyle. Along the way he became a respected solar electric expert with a successful solar electric business. If it is your intention to build a solar home, read Fowler’s advice and see how to plan it from the start. — Backwoods Home Magazine, March/April 1996

Reading this book is like having a good friend tell you how he did it because he hopes his experience will help you to decide to do it yourself…..More than any technical manual could, Fowler’s book invites the reader to realize the ideals of building an earth friendly house while encouraging them to appreciate the many facets of what it takes to get the job done. — The New Sunpaper, September 1995

The Evolution Of an Independent Home provides interesting insights for those seeking broad treatment of the whys and hows of passive solar, photovoltaics, battery storage systems, gardening, being an owner-builder, and running your own business. This book’s straight-forward delivery and engaging story make it a worthwhile read. — Northeast Sun, Autumn 1995

The inspiration and knowledge we can gain through Fowler, and his willingness to jump into his dream with both feet, are as valuable as technical data. His dream came true, and ours can too. This book is motivational and useful to anyone beginning to plan a renewable energy or efficient home project. It will help you ask many good questions, and will help you decide which answers are best for you. — Home Power, February/March 1996

This book is for those who want to know how to build a passive solar house powered by a solar electric system. It is a working diary, interestingly written…..and easily understood. — Rhode Island Solar Energy Association, Summer 1995