Zippity do dah, lots of sunshine money is coming the way of Pennsylvania homeowners who are installing solar electric systems.

Brand new state and federal programs are making it possible for Pennsylvania residents to save more than 50 percent on installation, cut electricity bills for 25 years and even generate income from solar panels on their property. But understanding the ins & outs of these programs can be complicated and overwhelming.

In her just-published book "Pennsylvania Homeowner's Guide to Solar Electricity," Dr. Vera Cole goes through the new state rebate program and solar technology in plain and simple language. Cole, Director for Local Power with the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association, starts with the basics of solar electricity production and site selection -- solar panels are finicky about their sunshine -- before addressing "what's the payback?"

Readers are guided through step-by-step examples of how to assess their property for solar, how to estimate the size and cost of a system suitable for their household, how to choose an installer and methods for estimating rebates, tax credits, future savings and income.

The book provides an unbiased look at expiring electricity price caps and the topsy-turvy world of renewable energy credits or RECs, where utilities pay homeowners for the solar power they produce. This new concept, not so well-understood at times, provides a platform for inflated financial claims. Cole's book avoids the hype and presents a clear picture of solar as an economically viable source of power that is clean, safe and secure.

Unique to the book is a companion website where Cole, a mechanical engineer who holds a doctorate in information science, provides a financial calculator and chapter-by-chapter links and timely updates. The calculator, SunnyMoney, is free, but the rest of the website is restricted to book owners.

The book is available for $14.95 through the MAREA website or Amazon.com.

The publisher, MAREA, is a nonprofit Pennsylvania group dedicated to renewable energy education and organizer of the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival. The largest in the region, the fifth annual festival is Sept 18, 19, 20 in Kempton, PA, and includes 150 exhibitors and 100 talks.