If you’re thinking about ways to make your own power and getting off the grid even partially, you have several readily accessible options for which the Government is willing to give you a tax credit of 30% of your cost. Making your own Power does not mean that you have to generate “all” the power for your home, there are options for every taste and pocketbook.
- Photovoltaic Systems
- Residential Small Wind Turbines
- Solar Water Heating
- Geo Thermal Heat Pump
SOLAR Power Systems: Going Solar used to bring to mind expensive and cumbersome equipment, that would make it feasible only for those with deep pockets and dedicated environmentalists. But as time has passed Solar Power has become more and more affordable and less and less intrusive.
- Photovoltaic Systems: solar electric or photovoltaic technology uses the sun’s energy to make electricity for the whole home and possible more that you can sell back to your Local Energy Company. In essence you become your own utility company. Solar Modules are an investment and add immediate and long-term value to your home.
- Solar Water Heating: can cut your water heating bills in half. Solar water heaters come in a variety of designs, all including a collector and storage tank, and all using the sun’s thermal energy to heat water. A recent study done on Solar Water Heating systems shows that it has a payback period of just two years.
- Type of collectors and the circulation system.
- Batch collectors
- Flat-plate collectors
- Evacuated tube collectors
- Direct systems
- Closed-loop, or indirect
- Active, or forced-circulation
- Passive systems
- Type of collectors and the circulation system.
Residential Small Wind Turbines:
- A wind turbine system, is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electrical system. Typically it can lower your electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent.
- DIY Wind Power Projects
- A Geo Thermal Heat Pump uses the earth as either a source of heat in the winter, or as a coolant in the summer. This design takes advantage of moderate temperatures in the shallow ground to boost efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap no longer applies. For More Info Energy Department.
If making your own Power is not an option for you right now, you can direct your energy dollars towards renewables by purchasing “green power.” This may be an option through your utility company, check out the EPA’s Green Power Locator.
June 17th, 2009 at 09:34 am by bibi in Alternative Energy, Carbon Footprint, Eco-Firendly, Energy, Green Power, Heat Pupms, Living Green, Solar, Sustainable, Wind Energy
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Comments
I like the idea of using a personal wind turbine and geothermal better than solar, but that all depends on where you live and which renewable source is more available. It will be great when one day we see every home having their own solar panels and/or wind turbines.
I’ve already had the solar water heating system in my house. Did it means that I’m also eligible for the 30% tax credit cut as well, Bibi?
Hey Wilson,
I believe the tax credit credit only applies to improvements “placed in service” starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. But it’s great that you have the system already , I’m sure you are saving money that way.
Thanks for stopping by.
Bibi
Hey Pays to live green,
I’m with you in that it would be great to see more homes using wind turbines and solar panels to create their own electricity. As these products become more and more affordable I’m sure that we will see this happening.
Thanks for stopping.
Bibi
Hi!!
I’m from Chile. First, I’ve to ask for excuses because of my English. Well: Here in Chile is a big discussion about new ways to generate energy… but the thermoelectrical projects, and the pretention of some corporations to instal a nuclear plant are monopolyzing debate.
It’s really sad that goverment are calling “alternative energy” or “unconventional energy” to nuclear energy.
I’m in very interested in solar energy, but… here is a lot expensive and poor people can not make reality a project like this. It’s very important that goverment can help people with a grant to realize this… but… big fishes of nuclear projects and thermoelectrical projects “lobby” is very strong !!. (even: the lobbist are from a important part of elite in government) It’s a big fuking problem to this issue.
Now, we have another problem. To make things like this we have to change the constitution, because in this constitution goverment are not allowed to generate or subsidiate energy. All is in private hands !!! The neoliberalism in this country is a big problem for a lot of alternative ways of social and personal development.
Great blog !! I will be here again !!!!
bye form Chile
Before opting for for any of the above renewable energy based systems, we recommend that homeowners improve the building’s energy efficiency with things like proper insulation and air sealing.
Homeowners who can’t afford to make the switch to solar, wind or geo-thermal powered systems, can still save a lot of energy and a lot of money just by tightening the building envelope and making a few, inexpensive changes that will help them take control of their energy consumption.
Just a quick update: The U.S. Federal Tax Credits for energy efficient upgrades were extended by congress to the end of 2011.
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