STOCKTON — With the economy still lagging, nearly everyone is looking for ways to cut back on their expenses. One man is showing people exactly how to do that, including projects that can reduce a monthly electric bill by more than half.

James May, a contractor and builder from Panama City, Fla., doing business as Everyman Solar, is giving seminars on solar energy and how it can be used to supplement current electric uses. The seminars are available to any group, organization, churches and more, and are completely free.

"I'm doing these all over. We're putting them in the churches and ask for one canned good. The food stays here at the church to build up the food pantry," he said.

May holds a degree in engineering and architecture drafting and spent 25 years designing homes. His first solar energy home was built in 1987.

"Why solar energy? First, it keeps money in your pocket, and the time is right," he said. "Several years ago solar energy was really popular, then the cost of electricity dropped and solar systems were stored away. Now that prices are going up, people are looking at it again."

May's company is called Everyman Solar because his ideas are for the general public, for "every man."

"These projects are user-friendly, and everything is made from salvaged goods from the junk yard," he said. May's most expensive project cost him $25. Additionally, they are easy to make.

"For all of these projects, only three electric tools are required. The rest is done with hand tools," he said. May's projects are also what he calls passive technology.

"There are no moving parts so it won't wear out or break," he said.

He said solar energy provides a sense of self-sufficiency and self-satisfaction.

"My son in California is completely off the (power) grid because of solar energy," he said. He said he helped his son build a solar hot water heater and the results were phenomenal.

"The hot water heater is 30 percent of your monthly (power) bill," he said. "The solar hot water heater cost nothing to build and my son's power bill went from $150 a month to $35 a month.

"It's also self-satisfying. I feel really good that I've done it myself and I feel really good when I can help someone who needs it," he said.

He said solar energy is not a knew concept and has been used longer than most people realize. "Solar energy was being used anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 years ago in Rome and Greece. It is the largest, fastest growing and oldest idea," he said.

"The sun is approximately 5 billion years old. God set up this (solar energy) system," May said. He pointed to solar tanning beds consisting of a lawn chair; solar dryers, made from a clothes line and clothes pins; and other ways people have always used the sun to accomplish things.

During his seminar, May shows a wide variety of solar projects, from the hot water heater to a solar air conditioner. He explains how each one works, how they are constructed and how they affect a power bill.

May is available to give seminars and can be booked by calling (251) 937-9323 or (251) 202-1751.