Power Generation and Renewable Energy Considerations

The green building movement has brought sustainable energy to the forefront, enabling homeowners to generate their own renewable energy to power their homes. By using solar, wind or hydro power, you can provide free, sustainable electricity to your home year round.

Solar power has been on the map for some time, but its use is currently on the rise. Recent breakthroughs in solar power technology are expected to lead to dramatically increased storage capacity for solar units, making solar an even more attractive option for fulfilling home energy needs.

Solar power may provide most or even all of a home's electricity. A on-grid system allows you to use all the solar energy you can collect, and draw any excess electricity you require from the power grid as you normally would.

In some instances, you may generate more electricity than you require, in which case the excess can be diverted back into the grid. Depending on your state's laws, your utility company may account for this and actually pay you, which would be a nice change.

Off-grid systems rely entirely on sunlight for powering the home. There are no utility costs, and no fears of grid failures leading to blackouts. They can be ideal for remote locations, or simply for people who want to go green or free themselves of dependency on utility companies.

Most off-grid systems require careful monitoring of energy usage, and battery backup may be a wise investment. But as solar technology continues its rapid advance, more and more energy will be able to be collected, stored and freely used.

Wind generation is another method of harnessing the power of nature and converting it into electricity. Obviously, worthwhile wind energy generation will be limited certain areas of the country. But if you do reside in a windy locale, installing a wind turbine may be the cleanest, most cost-effective way to power your home.

As with solar, wind-powered homes may be on- or off-grid, with or without battery backup. When shopping for turbines, it is of the utmost importance to buy a quality product. A cheap turbine will likely need costly repairs and may never end up paying for itself.

It's also necessary to factor in all the other up front costs - installation is a very involved process, and there are other components required to convert and distribute the power generated by the turbine. But with careful planning and the right equipment, wind can be a natural, steady source of sustainable electricity.

As for water, hydroelectric generation is no longer limited to massive dams or industrial plants. If your property has a stream with an adequate flow and sufficient head, or vertical drop, you may be able to utilize it to power your home.

Micro hydro, as it is commonly known, uses the same simple principle as wind power - moving water turns a turbine, which generates electricity. Micro-hydro powered homes may also be on- or off-grid, but most do employ a battery system, as water levels may vary seasonally.

If your stream slows in winter months, you'll have to take that into account when planning how much of your home's energy will come from micro hydro. There will also be a degree of maintenance and upkeep involved with your system, so be sure you're willing to keep a constant eye on it or hire a professional to take care of it for you.

Whether powering your home naturally with the help of the sun, wind or water, you'll need to check local restrictions and apply for any applicable permits before you undertake your project. But once you've got your green power source installed, you can enjoy decreased or even eliminated utility bills, personal energy independence and the knowledge that you're helping to preserve and protect our natural resources.