The Growth In Green Energy
As more people become aware of green energy, it is being seen as something for now rather than something futuristic. You may have been thinking of adopting some green energy solutions yourself. You have heard that others are getting big cost savings from green energy. These renewable and non-toxic energy sources also have environmental appeal. This article will guide you in assessing whether green energy makes sense for you, as well as the range of possibilities it offers.
The price of solar power has come down, even as the technology has advanced. Add to this the local and federal tax credits, and switching to solar is viable for many people. To determine whether it makes sense for you, get advice from a company that sells and installs or from a government agency. They can help you calculate whether your roof will collect enough solar rays to run the number of solar panels you will need. First, look over your past electric bills and see how much they average per month. Then find the "solar hours" for your location. This depends not only on climate and latitude. It also depends on simple things like trees that shade your roof space. Find out how many solar panels would be needed to generate the amount of electricity you use now, plus the capacity of your roof. Compare the long range costs of solar versus what you pay the electric company. This simple process will tell you whether solar is cost efficient for you. Beyond that, your commitment to the environment may tip the balance in favor of solar. You can also begin small, with just a few solar panels to bring down your electric bill rather than replacing it. Once you see it working for you, you may want to increase the amount of energy you get from solar.
Green energy, of course, is advancing in many fields. The hybrid cars, which run partly on electricity through batteries and partly on gasoline, are popular. The higher the price of gas goes, the more you save. The batteries can be recharged at home overnight. The only problem may arise on a trip, as there are few charging stations while there seems to be a gas station on every corner. But if you can't find a charging station, you can run on gas. While hybrids have broken through among consumers, going beyond the "early adopters," this has yet to happen for the all-electric cars. Many people are waiting for advances in battery technology.
Ethanol is already 10 percent of our gasoline. Other biofuels are being developed that show promise and are less costly, but they are not yet mainstream.
Although solar is the green energy most commonly used, other alternative energy technologies are advancing to give it competition. Wind energy farms can produce huge amounts, but there is a problem with transmitting it long distances to the cities that will use it. Small windmills, however, are being developed to serve the individual homeowner. As with solar, the initial cost may seem high, but the long term savings can be considerable, as well as the security of having your own energy source that is independent from the grid.
The green energy movement is building, because as more people adopt its technologies, the price comes down. Becoming a part of this movement may be motivated by concern for climate change, but it also is making more and more sense economically.
