Making your electricity through small renewable energy systems is now a viable option for many home owners and small businesses. Although it may take some time money and research in order to find what’s right and will work for you, there are many people who have taken this step and now enjoy energy independence through clean renewable energy sources. In addition to the added security and reduced energy costs, you also have the satisfaction of doing your part to safeguard and protect the environment you and your family live in.
Stand-Alone Energy Systems
Many renewable energy systems are capable of supplying some if not all of electricity needs. People who use the electricity from their systems instead of electricity supplied from the grid (by power providers, i.e. electric utilities) are using what we refer to as stand-alone (off grid) systems. This can be particularly useful, but not limited to, people who live in remote locations.
Hybrid Power Systems
Others choose to connect their renewable energy systems to the grid and use them to reduce the amount of conventional power drawn from the grid. A grid-connected system allows you to sell any excess power you produce back to your power provider. This is commonly referred to as net metering. Net metering can be done with any type of renewable energy system, as long as it produces electricity.
Some of the renewable energy technologies available for use today are as follows:
- Small solar electric systems
- Small wind electric systems
- Microhydropower systems
- Small hybrid electric systems (solar and wind).
The first step you need to take before purchasing and installing a small renewable energy system is to analyze your electrical load (the amount of electricity you consume). Failure to properly do this can result in getting a system to small or to large for your needs, resulting either in lack of power or in the case of to large a system extra costs that weren’t needed in the first place when investing in a small renewable energy system. As part of this step you will find out whether its economically feasible for you or not. If you have no idea how to go about checking these points, you can always contact a professional, there are many electrical companies now specializing in renewable energy systems and capable of providing you with a free analysis of your electrical needs.
Should you wish to install such a system yourself, you will also need to research the local codes and requirements for installing a system. A local company might take care of this step for you.
Another popular and less expensive solution is to install your own solar (and/or wind) power system. There are several resources available which will guide you through this process. Two of the best-selling guides are Earth4Energy and Home Made Energy. (Earth4Energy being the most popular, as far as I can tell.)
If you’re the type who takes active part in designing and building a new home, you might want to work with your builder and your contractor, to incorporate your small renewable energy system into your home design. Doing this right from the beginning will allow for the best possible cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions for your entire home.
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Not enough credit is being given to the high gas prices this past year and it’s serious damage on our economy and society. That one factor alone has caused serious stress in both individuals and businesses. A record number of homes and jobs have been lost as a direct result. And, while we are doing the happy dance around the lower prices at the pumps OPEC is announcing cuts to manipulate the prices upward again. We must get on with becoming energy independent.We can’t take another year like this past. There is a wonderful new book out about the energy crisis and what it would take for America to become energy independent. It covers every aspect of oil, what it’s uses are besides gasoline, our reserves, our depletion of it. Every type of alternative energy is covered and it’s potential to replace oil. He even has proposed legislative agenda’s that would be necessary to implement these changes along with time frames. This book is profoundly informative and our country needs to become more informed and move forward with becoming energy independent. Green technology would not only provide clean cheap energy it would create millions of badly needed new jobs. The Book is called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW. Our politicians all need to read this book. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com
I fully agree, we can not have another year like this past one. Also borrowing money to “inject into the economy” is not going to solve anything in the long run. That money has to be earned or produced and as a nation we are just lining up a future crisis. This is no solution at all, in fact it will just make things worse. Its time we choose some other priorities for national spending and solve this foreign oil dependency with some clean alternative energy sources.
Our nation is fully capable of fixing the situation, its just what do we spend our money on? For example the war in Iraq has cost us $656.1 billion to this date. Kind of funny when you look at the fact that that is the almost the exact amount we are borrowing in order to “fix” the financial crisis. In other words this war is bankrupting us. But lets take a look what else you could have used that money for. taken from the energy crisis viewpoint did you know that $656.1 billion would pay for clean renewable energy for 679,232,570 homes over the period of one year? For the amount of money spent on the war we could have outfitted every home in the United States with a clean alternative energy source, either Solar panels, wind turbines or any other clean energy source you would choose to go with.
Yep, I agree Our economy is in the slumps and if you think things are bad now just wait or don’t wait get yourself moving and create energy to save your money and help the economy by creating an bill reducing venture. Make your own power and save thousands of dollars a year and put it toward something else like education or a house payment or new clothes for the kids. Good for you and me and the earth too.
Investing in alternative energy methods is a great way to not only save money but to also limit your impact on the planet. I believe some energy companies will even buy your excess power from you as well.
Very good job, it is very clear.
What alternative energy sources would you recommend for Third world countries to acquire instead of nuclear technology?
thanks
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@ AlternativeEnergyAR Thanks for your question. I believe it depends largely on the country, but I know solar power has been successful in many places such as Africa and India. It can be installed and utilized relatively inexpensively, and can be very useful, particularly in sunny or tropical areas. In fact, here are two pages you might find interesting on the subject:
http://www.squidoo.com/bogo
http://www.squidoo.com/solarbatterychargers (See the video regarding home solar power in India)
Without question, using alternative energy is a great cost saver. I have solar panels installed, and the savings are incredible in the long run.
kyan@Earth4Energy´s last blog ..Earth4Energy a SCAM? | Earth4Energy Manual Review updated Mon Jul 13 2009 12:47 am CDT
Failure to properly do this can result in getting a system to small or to large for your needs, resulting either in lack of power or in the case of to large a system extra costs that weren’t needed in the first place when investing in a small renewable energy system.
How much power does it generate? I mean can it operate two Air-conditioners along with other appliances in one home? I think we need large panels then to get these powers since they get their powers from Sun so at night we would need it. Anyway, I think this is going to be the future and the electric companies will only exist to provide emergency powers. Like incase someone’s batteries goes down so he/she can resume to the city’s power supplies.
Hi I have a quick question. How much electricity does it cost to run an elevator up and down one flight of stairs?