As the world finally comes to terms with the fact that the use of oil based and fossil fuels as a primary source of energy is not infinite, the real hope for economic prosperity and energy independence in the United States is in the research and development of alternative fuel sources. There has also been much talk in the recent twelve months regarding the need to develop methods of harnessing and distributing “clean” alternative energy sources which will not negatively impact the environment by depleting natural energy sources or causing air or water pollution in the processing of fuels for energy.

Not only has the search for renewable fuel sources become a matter for global resource responsibility, but also a matter of national security and fiscal responsibility to the citizens of the U.S. to relieve them from being hostage to hostile foreign entities who controls the primary means of energy resources for our country. Alternative energy sources must be developed within the U.S. to secure it’s independence from foreign energy sources.

Solar and wind energy are the first alternatives that come to mind when considering other possibilities for producing energy, as these sources are unending in their availability and are free. Unfortunately, the harnessing of these energy sources and the conversion to usable energy for providing electricity and automotive fuels is currently still cost prohibitive. As the state and federal government bodies begin to recognize and concede large scale funding to the opportunities for energy independence through these forms of renewable energy, the cost of the products, power conversion, and installation will dramatically drop. Unfortunately, the fear is that the gas and electricity companies will, by then, have contrived a way to harness the dispersing of the converted energy, resulting in little cost savings to the consumer, although still relieving the rampant use of fossil fuels and pollution output affecting the global ecology.

As it stands today, the residential consumer can contract with a solar energy company to have a solar panel system installed on there home which will, in effect, convert the home to a “hybrid” which remains on the electric company’s energy grid, but allows the home to exclusively use its collected solar energy for electricity and heating when the conditions are favorable at no cost. In fact, electric companies in most areas are converting their billing systems to provide credits to the homeowner when enough solar energy is collected to supercede the current energy needs of the home. Therefore, you do not pay for electric service when your solar panels are doing their job, when it’s a cloudy day, you will pay for electricity you use from the electrics company’s power grid – BUT – if your solar panels have collected and converted more energy than you need, this energy is transferred back to the overall electric grid and the electric company will post a credit to your electric bill. You are, in effect, storing your unused solar energy with the electric company for future use, at no cost. Good deal !
Most solar panel fabricators and installers will also attest that you can eventually end up making money off of the electric company if your panels produce enough excess energy to greatly supercede your use. Since you are collecting the energy, and the electric company is providing the excess to its other customers by means of its electrical grid, the electric company will then pay you for the energy it is providing.

It is almost impossible these days to turn on the news or open a paper without hearing or reading about the need for future alternative energy.  With the cost of fuel skyrocketing and the adverse environmental impact of fossil fuels  it is becoming critical that we look for alternative ways to provide the power that we need for our day-to-day lives.  You might ask, “So what can I do as an individual home owner to help?”  The answer is to reduce your demand for electricity from the power grid.  There are two ways of doing this:

    1.    The first is to learn ways to conserve electricity in your home.  

    2.    The second is to learn ways to generate electricity at your residence.  In times past, the cost to do this for the individual home owner was cost prohibitive, but with the Federal Energy Tax Credit of 30% it is becoming much more cost effective.  In addition to the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit, many states and local power companies offer further incentives that reduce the initial cost of these systems even further.

The one source of alternative energy that is available to all of us is the Sun.  No matter where we live, we have this resource available to us free of charge.  The challenge is in converting this free resource into electricity. A residential solar power system is the best way to do this.

The first step in determining if A Residential Solar Power System is right for you is to see if you fit into one of the following 4 categories:

    1.    You want to lower your average electric bill.

    2.    You have an interest in reducing your dependence on your utility company.

    3.    You would like to reduce the environmental impact of electricity production.

    4.    A grid connection is not available in your area or can be made only through an expensive line extension. (The cost of running a power line to the utility grid at a remote site can be prohibitive, ranging from $15,000 to more than $50,000 per mile, depending upon the terrain.)

Secondly, there are 3 location factors to consider when determining whether you have a site that is appropriate for Solar Panels.

    1.    If you live in the Northern Hemisphere your site must have southern exposure.  For maximum daily power output, Solar Panels should be exposed to the sun for as much of the day as possible, especially during the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    2.    The site must be free of obstructions such as trees, mountains, and buildings that might shade the panels.  Consider both summer and winter paths of the sun, as well as the growth of trees and future construction that may cause shading problems.

    3.    You also have appropriate terrain and sufficient space to install the solar system.  (A lot of people with south facing roof tops put them there instead of taking up yard space).

If you fit into one of the 4 categories and you meet all of the location factors then you need to ensure:

    1.    You have a strategy for meeting your energy needs during times of darkness or in really bad weather.

    2.    Your state or utility provides for electricity net metering, which allows you to connect your system with your utility and sell any excess electricity to your utility.

The sun is a free resource that provides unlimited potential.  If you fit into one of the 4 Categories and your location meets all of the location factors then you should seriously consider installing a Residential Solar Power System.  Once you learn how to tap into this resource you will greatly reduce your dependence on the power grid while reducing, if not eliminating, your average monthly electric bill.

Submitted by Everett Payne, http://www.averageelectricbillrelief.com which provides information on residential home energy saving tips as well as various methods to tap into alternative energy resources.

Getting or building a wind power generator for home use is quickly becoming an attractive option for many environmentally conscious homeowners. Alternative energy sources are looking quite feasible in helping to alleviate both environmental damage and fuel shortage related to the use of fossil fuels. If we manage to develop these budding fields properly, we may eventually wean ourselves off of our reliance on coal, oil, and gas. This will not only stabilize our power generation, but also result in many benefits to the environment as we use renewable, green ways of making energy. Thus, the need for a wind power generator for home use.

These electricity generators are becoming more and more commonplace as people install more of them both on large and small scales. They are machines that can convert the natural breeze-induced mechanical movements into electricity. Thus, they only need this force of nature to produce energy, which is free, essentially unlimited or renewable, and all natural. This basic concept of harnessing the energy all around us is what lies behind any good renewable energy source.

Some background on the concept behind using a wind power generator for home use would be useful to have. Generators work by transforming physical motion, usually rotation, into electricity using strong permanent magnets. Turbines then work on the same essential principle, using natural flows to turn blades, which then produce electricity in conjunction with magnets. Both direct and alternating current may be produced by generators (for AC, the term used is usually alternator instead of generator, but the concept is basically the same). The electricity produced can then be wired to devices for immediate usage, stored in batteries, or even wired back into the power grid for other users.

Most renewable energy sources require a higher capital outlay than conventional fossil fuel power generation. This is because the technology for these new energy sources is much younger and less understood and developed than the older technologies. However, as interest in these sources continues, technological and engineering developments should make costs more manageable. In fact, at present, many systems are already being made available for residential use. This is why it is relatively easy to get your hands on a homemade windmill/turbine.

Of course, harnessing the breeze would not necessarily be efficient for every single home and location. There needs to be, first and foremost, enough available space for the turbine. The amount of space and clearance required varies from setup to setup: some can be mounted on roofs while others need freestanding towers. Remember that the strength of this force of nature would also not be constant throughout the year, meaning other sources must also be used. Getting a wind power generator for home use is still a great, green idea, however.

Tired of high electric bills? Discover how thousands of families are using homemade wind power systems to power their homes!