Renewable Energy Solutions

You’ve probably heard in the news recently about some form of renewable energy solutions.  We are facing a global energy crisis, and it is time to stop or at least reduce our dependence on non renewable energy source. There is a threat of non renewable energy running out and we have to seek other ways to produce energy.

Renewable resources offer hope to those seeking for alternative sources of energy.  Renewable energy source is an efficient source of energy since it is in abundance and doesn’t run out. Some of the renewable resources available today are; solar energy solutions, hydro energy solutions, and wind energy solutions.

Solar energy solution – The suns energy is the most abundant form of energy we have on earth. We can make use of this energy by adapting solar power solutions at home. With the solar power solutions, you can now cook, heat your homes and power you homes. This will greatly help cut down power consumption from conventional power source, and contribute to a greener environment.

The sun is steady source of energy. Every living creature here on earth depends on the sun’s energy. Using photovoltaic cells, we can now use the sun’s energy to produce electricity.

The solar energy system stands out among other renewable energy source. It only rely on the power of the sun, making it efficient, cost effective, and safe for the environment. Solar energy system requires little maintenance, saving you time and effort. You can easily enjoy your investment in no time. Solar energy solution allows cooking, heating and power production all for free. More and more families are now adopting this wonderful power solution in their homes.

Hydro energy solutions – Another effective renewable energy solutions is hydro power. It utilizes the power of bodies of water to generate electricity, and power our homes, vehicles, and appliances. Currently, an estimate of 90 percent of renewable energy produced to today comes from hydro power. Huge dams are required in order to utilize hydro power. Although it is currently the trend for generating power using renewable energy, hydro power has major down side as it affects the water borne flora and fauna.

Wind energy solutions – Windmill have come a long a way. They were once used to tow boats, and pump water. As post industrialization comes, wind turbines are now used to generate electricity. Along with solar power, wind turbine is the way to go for renewable energy solutions. It is a reliable source of energy, without any environmental issues. Wind power is truly a renewable source of energy that promises lifelong supply of energy.


Making Electricity

Making electricity may sound complicated, but the basics are pretty straightforward.   Conventional methods are further being challenged as new methods come on board.

The conventional way of producing electricity

The most common way of making electricity is by moving huge turbines using various forms of energy. Here are some conventional methods of producing electricity.

  • Fuel – Even today, coal is still the fuel used by most power plants. Coal is used as fuel to heat large volumes of water in equally large furnaces. As the water is heated, it evaporates and produces steam. The steam generated moves the blades of the turbines. Aside from coal, fuels like petroleum and natural gases are also used for producing electricity.
  • Nuclear Fission – Aside from atomic bombs, nuclear fission is also used to produce electricity. This is done by utilizing the heat produced by the chain reaction caused by nuclear fission. The heat is then used to boil the water on huge furnaces which produces steam that turns the blades of the turbine.
  • Bio Waste – Fossil fuels are considered to be inefficient nowadays. Bio fuel is starting to gain popularity for producing electricity because it is considered safer for the environment than conventional fuel. Bio fuel comes mostly from biological waste.
  • Hydro Power – Hydro power is another popular method of producing electricity. It utilizes the power of huge bodies of water to create electricity. This method is considered safer compared to fuel powered plants. However, this method spoils the ecological balance on bodies’ water.
  • Wind – Wind is a reliable source of energy. With the help of wind generators, we can now convert wind energy into electricity. And with the current global energy crisis, wind generator is a smart way to produce electricity.

A need for an alternate energy source

It’s hard to deny the fact that there is a huge threat ahead of us caused by slowly depleting supply of fuel and energy sources. Aside from that, the ways we use to produce electricity harms the environment in so many ways.

Everywhere we look, energy crisis is evident. The world is in a deep trench of global crisis. Fossil fuel is slowly depleting and it is no longer dependable as energy source. We should find ways to stop contributing to energy crisis and minimize the damaging effects of conventional energy production.

The better way of producing electricity

Do you feel the need to help and prevent environmental damage and stop energy crisis? There things you can do to help consume less power from conventional energy production. Here are some of the energy solutions you can employ to produce your very own electricity.

  • Wind power solution – You can setup your very own wind turbine, making electricity to supply your home a snap.
  • Solar power solution – Utilizing the power of the sun greatly helps reduce dependence on commercial power supply. Solar power can cook food, produce electricity for lighting, and heat homes.
  • Bio Gas – A newest form of fuel, preferred over conventional fuel because it produces less pollution.

Making a Windmill – What You Need to Get Started

Want to get started with making a windmill for home power generation?  Wind is a rich source of energy, and one way of harnessing the winds energy is through a wind mill. Wind power can be converted into various forms of energy. One type of energy converted from wind is electrical energy. A windmill converts the mechanical energy from the rotating blades and transforms it into a more useful electric form.

With the world suffering from energy crises, it is only sensible that we take responsibility and look for alternative solution to ease the global crisis. Wind turbine offers that solution. It has proven to be an effective option for households located along countryside and farms. However, wind turbines may not work well for people living in populated areas.

Two pre-requirements for setting up a windmill

  • An area of at least one acre is required for a windmill to function at its optimum. A smaller area would result to slower speeds as windmill blades will not be able to capture enough wind to work properly.
  • The wind speed should also be put into consideration. An average speed of 11 miles an hour is most suitable for a windmill. Anything less will result to poor performance. The wind speed should also be constant.

Basic components of a windmill:

  • Blades – It is a long aerodynamic blades that rotates as the wind pass through it. It comes in plastic or wood.
  • Tower – The tower is a structure made of hard materials such as poly-vinyl chloride. It is designed to stand high up in the air so that the blades can capture strong wind speeds.
  • Shaft – The shaft connects the blades to the tower. It also allows the blade to rotate freely, and connects both the blades and the tower together.
  • Base – Rotating blades produces vibrations. The purpose for the base is to hold the tower in place and prevents unwanted vibrations.

Setting up a windmill

Nowadays, it is very easy to start making a windmill. You can find ready to install windmill kits in the market ready for assembly. Before getting one setup, make sure to consult an expert first to know which type suits your needs. You can also choose the components personally. But if is your first time or if you do not have any background on it – seek for professional help first. Any mismatch to any components of your windmill can make it useless.

Making a windmill is even easier when you have a step by step guide and video instructions.  Check out Earth4Energy – they have lots of great info on how to build a windmill to use at home!


Make Solar Power

Ready to make solar power right from your own back yard?  Solar power is the most abundant form of energy available on earth. Without the suns energy, life on earth would be impossible. The sun is giving us more than just light and heat, if harnessed correctly, solar energy can produce power and electricity for everyday use.

Here are just a few of advantages we can get from using solar power:

Because of its availability, the ability to make solar power is gaining popularity amongst the alternate energy solutions.

  • Green energy solutions – Utilizing solar energy requires absolutely no fuel other than the suns light making it very efficient. Moreover, it does not produce any harmful substance making it environment friendly.
  • Cheapest power solution – Make solar power and it’s free, and the cost on installation is a one-time fee making it affordable. Finally the investment is recovered within a few years making your power source absolutely free.
  • Convenience of storage – Unlike conventional power, you can store solar power for future use. This makes solar power convenient over standard power source. You can get access to a free power source anytime you need it, and of course saves you money.
  • Low maintenance – Solar energy systems are easy to maintain. You don’t have to be a technical expert to use and maintain a solar energy systems.

Solar power has so many applications to choose from so it’s easy to decide which is convenient

  • Solar cooking system – Cook without any fire or fuel at all. It is possible! You might be thinking about bland food, well with solar cooking, you can cook just about anything. Try roasting, boil, bake and cook anyway you want it. Yes it is possible with solar cooking system. It may take a more than a few minutes but it is not asking too much given that you get tasteful and healthy food without worrying about paying your gas or electric bill.
  • Solar lighting system – With solar lighting system, it is possible to light up the entire house, and enjoy every appliance you have without worrying about you power bill. Thanks to the power storage feature of the solar power generator you can enjoy free power supply even at night.
  • Solar heating system – Keep your home cozy and warm without worrying about the cost. It is possible with solar heating system.

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings on your power bill. Get a hold of the complete guide at www.earth4energy.com


Living Off the Grid

Have you been thinking about living off the grid?  What does that mean exactly?  We’ve been hearing news on power shortage, the rapid consumption of non renewable energy, the increase in power demand, and warning about the environment. Would you like to do something that would benefit the environment and yourself? Start living off the grid. This proposition does not only the environment and save power; it also cuts down your power bill and saves you a lot of money.

Here are just some of the disadvantages of living off the grid.

  • Reduced dependability on exhausting resources – How often have you experienced power outage in the midst of an important work or in the middle of an event? You can change such factors affecting your life. Living off the grip decreases your dependence on public utilities. Instead, you can rely on a renewable power source that is always available
  • Freedom of usage of naturally available resources – Alternate power source is available everywhere, like solar power and wind power. You can make use of the abundant power available in the nature to light up your home and cook your food. Think of using your appliance without worrying about the power bill. It is possible to live off the grid without compromising comfort.
  • Reduced power cost – Setting-up your own alternate power source now will save you money from your electric bills. The alternate power solution will give you a return on investments very soon thus making the power supply to your home eventually free.
  • Making way to a healthier environment – Utilizing renewable source of energy doesn’t just benefit you but also the environment. Instead of depending on public utilities that pollutes the atmosphere and destroys the environment, use a renewable source of energy. Make the future of your future generations by giving them a healthier world.

Do you still think it is impossible to live off the grid? Look for an alternative power solution and you will be surprised to learn that they are not just cost effective but extremely feasible.

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings on your power bill. Get a hold of the complete guide at www.earth4energy.com


Install Solar Power

Looking to install solar power in your home?  During these hard times, when everyone else is finding ways to save energy, installing an alternate power source is a smart move. It doesn’t just help the government fight energy crisis, but also great way to save a considerable amount of money from conventional power production.

The most common alternate power solutions available today are solar power and wind power. They are the most popular and less cumbersome. Wind power is a good energy source but because wind is not readily available in all locations, not all can implement the wind power systems. Wind power system requires a large area, and a steady wind source of no less than 11 miles per hour. If wind power is not for you, you can always use solar power instead. It is easier to install solar power and it only requires an abundant source of sunlight.

There are different components you can choose in a solar power system depending on your needs.

Solar cooker – It is the most popular solar energy system implemented at home because of its advantages:

  • Healthy cooking – Solar cooking is a very healthy way to cook your food. You can cook for a family of five using a small cooking box at a time.
  • Variety cooking – This system can cook variety of meals. You can boil, roast, and bake using the same system.
  • No fuel – By using the suns power alone, the solar cooker doesn’t need any fuel. It’s a great way to save power.
  • No emissions – The solar cooker is a great and environment friendly cooking system, it doesn’t emit any gases nor leave any residue.

Solar generator – would you like to run your appliances without even spending a penny? Create you very own solar generator. This device converts solar energy into electric energy using photovoltaic cells. This system is also known as solar lighting system. The solar generator stores electric energy in cells for later use. It is a great way to save power and save money.

Solar Thermal System – A thermal system or solar heating system helps regulate your house temperature. Solar thermal systems rely on solar power alone. If you install solar power from a thermal system, your home will be comfortable without increasing a penny on your power bill.

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings on your power bill. Get a hold of the omplete guide at www.earth4energy.com


How Electricity is Produced

Are you curious about how electricity is produced?  Electricity is one of modern man’s great discoveries. It is essential to civilization and without it, life as we know it would be so much different. In order to produce these huge amounts of electricity to power our homes, fossil fuels, and nuclear fission, water and wind resources is required.

The question of how electricity is produced can be answered by looking at the various forms of power.  In order to produce electricity, energy is used to turn out gigantic turbines. These energies come in different forms. Some are environment friendly, but most of it produces pollution that damages the atmosphere.

Fossil Fuels – Huge turbine blades are moved by high pressure water vapors. To produce the kind of vapor that would move a huge turbine, water has to be heated on huge furnaces. Water is heated by burning fossils like coal petroleum, and natural gas. This method is a major source of pollution.

Huge amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the air polluting the atmosphere and the environment. Alternate method of producing electricity that is environmentally friendly should be adopted to stop air pollution.

Water – Another way of producing electricity using water is through dams. There are two purposes for constructing a dam. One is to restrict bodies of water from flowing and another is to produce electricity. To use water for electricity bodies of water such as rivers moves the turbines and generate electricity.

This method of producing electricity does not cause air pollution; however, this method has a negative effect on the ecosystem and bodies of water. Currently water accounts for 90% of the electricity generated using a renewable source.

Wind – Windmills or wind turbines are used to transform wind energy into electricity. Huge turbine moves as the wind passes through it. This energy is then converted into a useful form – electricity. Portable cell phone chargers are now utilizing the winds energy for power, thanks to the advancement in wind energy development.

Nuclear fission – Aside from atom bombs, nuclear fission is also used to produce electricity.  Nuclear fission causes a chain reaction when Uranium is bombarded by neutrons causing is to split. As the Uranium split, more neutrons are released causing more splits in the already split uranium nuclei.

This chain reaction generated high amounts of heat. The resulting heat is then used to boil the water and the vapor eventually moves the massive turbines to generate electricity.

Bio- waste – In India, bio gas is a typical method of how electricity is produced. In fact, in the state of Bahir in India uses human waste to produce electricity.

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings on your power bill. Get hold on the complete guide at www.earth4energy.com


Bio Fuels – Are they Good?

What’s the fuss about bio fuels?  Bio fuel is a type of fuel formed through decomposition of biological matters. It is derived from different organic materials but the most common source are plants. These special fuels are available in all three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Difference between bio-fuel and fossil fuels:

  • It takes millions of years for a fossil to form while the bio version is produced extremely fast within a matter of days.
  • As we’ve known, fossil fuels cause massive pollution while bios causes less to no pollutants at all.
  • Fossil fuels would someday run out, while renewable energy like bio fuel offers an abundant supply for the future generations.

There are four types of bio fuel: First, Second, Third, and Fourth generation.

First Generation – These types of plant based fuel are derived mainly from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar which mostly comes from crops. First generation bio-fuel also comes from animal fats. Some examples of this type of biogas are bio-diesel and vegetable oil.

Second Generation – Unlike the first generation which were derived from crops, second generation are derived from waste making it a balanced option. Different kind of alcohols, and diesel generated from wood are also categorized as second generation bio-fuel.

Third Generation – This unique type of fuel comes from algae. To produce this type of fuel, large scales of algae are grown in a farm like manner. This type of bio-fuel is extremely environment friendly. Algae does not cause pollution as it decompose.

Fourth Generation – This type of fuel is derived by introducing micro organisms into a carbon dioxide rich environment, this method produces a clean and renewable energy source.

Bio-fuel has proven itself to be advantageous in many ways.

  • Renewability of bios lessens the burden on our gradually vanishing fossil fuels.
  • It is an environment-friendly source of energy that helps reduce carbon emission into the atmosphere.
  • It is cost effective compared to fossil fuels.

Although this special type of fuel offers its advantages, it doesn’t mean it has no disadvantage. Plant based fuel has received criticism for some reasons. For one economist debated on the usefulness of first generation fuel when compared to the lack of food they cause. Some people believe food should not be farmed for fuel but for human consumption only. Another issue is that it requires acres of land to farm and this can destroy natural habitat of plants and animals.

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings on your power bill.  Learn more about bio fuels with the Earth4Energy guide!


Homemade Solar Panel

Is a homemade solar panel all you need to reduce your energy bills?  During these times, when our economy is in a bad shape, and the news about the ever shrinking global oil reserves, makes people look for alternative energy source. This seems to be a promising solution to cut down, present and future energy usage particularly on our dependence on fossil fuels.

Today, more and more households are equipped with homemade solar energy system. The solar energy system is designed to utilize deep cell storage battery that produces electricity upon consumer demand. This system reduces the household’s reliance on the country’s energy grid.

With such high cost on energy bills, anyone would want to get their energy bills reduced to 80% or more right? If that huge saving sounds good to you, then follow the guide Earth4Energy that offers a solar solution that is easy to make, and would cost you no more than $200.

Here’s what that you’ll get:

  • An easy to follow instruction for building a homemade solar panel. It’s been designed for layman and for do it yourself workers alike.
  • A guide to help you collect the materials you’ll need to build a solar panel.
  • A list of tips on how to construct the alternative generators that is not readily available anywhere else.
  • A lifelong updated on manuals and video series at no additional cost.
  • Get full cash back if don’t save hundreds of dollars every month from your energy bill after using the system for eight months.
  • Detailed instructions on how to do it explained through videos.

It’s everything you need to create your very own solar system. Think about saving hundreds of dollars from your power bill and it all just costs pennies on a dollar! Visit www.Earth4Energy.com and you’ll get a complete guide on constructing a DIY solar panel. You don’t have to be an expert to construct a homemade solar system. The DIY instructions, manuals and videos are easy to understand, even beginners can do it.

Visit the site www.Earth4Energy.com and see actual reviews from satisfied customers. Most of the costumers couldn’t believe how easy it was to build a homemade solar panel. Not to mention the saving that they are getting from their monthly power bill.

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings on your power bill. Get hold on our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com


Reduce Energy Usage

If your energy bills are too high, then it is time to reduce energy usage in your home.  Paying high priced energy bills have never been easy and it’s only getting worst especially during these tough economic times. It’s time to get serious in reducing our power bills. Let me share some key tips that will help you reach your goal.

Get your family involved. Discuss the importance of saving electricity with them. Motivate them and give reward to members who will actively participate. Create guidelines on using home appliances and lights like switching the lights off the when they are not in their room. When these simple steps are followed, it can bring your power bills down drastically.

Unlike television sets or a fan, fluorescent lights are essential most specially during the night. Here’s how to make sure you are using lighting in your house efficiently. See to it that the usage is required in all rooms. Turn off unnecessary lightings and save electricity. Though simple, this tips can save you money on the long run.

Consider the type of lighting you use carefully. An incandescent light bulb consumes more electricity than compact fluorescent or CFL. Replace those old incandescent bulbs with a bright and energy efficient CFL bulb.

There are also gadgets available on the market today to help you manage your electric consumption. These gadgets will monitor the intake of power supply in the entire house. This way you can make decisions on how to control your power usage.

Is your electric bill way off the roof? You might thing this is caused by the vast number of electrical items you have in your home. The truth is, your electricity bill is now directly connected or affected due to the number of gadgets, but the way you use them.

Some electrical items just consume a lot of power than others. Here’s a list and find out how to manage these appliances to reduce energy usage:

  • Washing machines should only be used when there is a bucket full of clothes.
  • Use the geyser for the least amount of time possible.
  • The air-conditioner should be kept at the lowest setting. Just enough to keep the warm or cold air outside.
  • Computer monitor consumes a lot of power. Simply switch it off when not in use.

You can do more on reducing your electricity bill. Take benefit of reading energy saving guide like Earth4Energy that has some of the best solutions to generate energy at home and get free electricity for some of your home appliances. This way you can save power and help reduce energy crisis caused be the increasing global demand. Reduce the energy usage in your home and use renewable energy sources like wind, sun, and tides which costs less and doesn’t cause pollution

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings from your power bill. Get hold on a complete guide of how to reduce energy usage at home.


Wind Powered Turbine

What is a wind turbine?
Wind powered turbines have come a long way. Early versions of wind turbine were used to pump water, and for grinding. They were once known as windmills. Nowadays Modern wind turbine is used to generate electricity. A little has change with this machine. It still uses the same concept of using the winds energy to propel the blades and transforming wind energy to mechanical energy. This form of energy is converted into a much useful form – electricity.

Two types of wind turbine
There are two general classifications for wind powered turbines:

• Horizontal axis turbines – The blades on these winds turbines rotate along a horizontal axis.
• Vertical axis turbines – The blades on these wind turbines rotate along a vertical axis.

Between the two designs, most people prefer the horizontal axis turbine because it is more efficient compared to vertical axis turbines.

Benefits from installing a wind turbine
Here are just some of the benefits you will get from install a wind turbine for your home.

• Power saver – Wind turbines only utilizes the winds power. And since is uses the winds free energy, it proves to be a    very efficient way to generate electricity. Using the winds renewable energy, helps save our ever decreasing supply of non renewable energy.
• Cost effective – Some people are discouraged from installing wind turbines because of the initial cost. What they don’t realize is that wind turbine actually provides a lifetime supply of free energy, making it very cost effective.
• Environment friendly – Wind turbines doesn’t use any kind of fuel other than the winds energy. It does not emit any kind of toxic gases or fumes unlike conventional power production. Wind turbine is truly an environment friendly device.
• Uninterrupted power supply – Wind is an unlimited 24/7 supply of energy. Utilizing this power will only result to free electricity. So stop relying on conventional expensive power sources. Get your power from a clean and free source.

Things to consider before installing a wind turbine
Installing your own wind turbine is very easy. However there are some important things to consider before getting your wind powered turbine setup.

• An area of at least one acre is required to setup a wind turbine.
• An average wind speed of 11 miles an hour is also important to ensure the optimum performance of your wind turbine.
• Make sure that you have a flat and steady base to keep the wind turbine steady during strong winds.
• Make sure the tower height is relative to the wind speed. Areas with slow wind speeds would require a higher tower.


Personal Windmill

Considering setting up a personal windmill?  Fossil fuel would someday run out, making it not a reliable source of energy. And not to mention the pollution it causes. People nowadays are starting to take responsibility by looking for ways to cope with energy crisis. For starters, the least we can do is begin saving the power that’s left for the future generations and adopt power producing techniques using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power systems.

One alternate source of energy is wind, although the initial cost for running a windmill doesn’t come cheap . However in the long run, it will turn out to be a huge money saver as the cost of production turns zero. The ideal location to run a windmill is at areas with steady winds speeds that could reach at least 11 miles per hour.  But it has been observed that people are implementing personal windmills even at places with average speeds of less than 11 miles an hour and these people are getting good results.

The major turn off why people dissuades from setting up a wind mill is the initial cost. What they don’t realize is that it is possible to set a personal windmill that is within the budget.  Here some important things to consider before setting up the wind mill.

  • Get a good plan for your home made windmill. Consider the power output you would like the windmill to generate.
  • Extreme weather conditions can damage a wind mill so choose sturdy reliable components for your windmill.
  • Before buying any equipment, compare the prices go for the components that suits your budget.

Make sure to look for the following feature when getting a windmill plan.

  • Illustrations – Instead of following a text, a guide with a visual illustration makes your task easier.
  • Easy language – Do not buy windmill plans that contains jargons. Look for guides with simple easy to understand English and less technical information. This will help you get your work done quickly and easily.
  • Component description – A homemade windmill guide should be able to provide you with visual and text description of the components you will be using. It is also important that the guide you will use indicates the type of component that would work best on your area.
  • Local Information – Look for a guide that provides equipment information from places near you. It would be useless if your guide gives you information about the best available equipment in Europe while you are reading it from a U.S. country side.

Generate your own energy source using wind or solar power and get huge savings on your power bill. Get hold of our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com


Wind DC Generator

What is a wind generator?

A wind DC generator is a machine that harnesses the winds energy, to produce electricity. A wind DC generator captures the energy from the moving wind with its long blades which results to rotation. This mechanical energy is then transformed to electrical energy using the motor. Wind generator help produce thousands of megawatts of electricity. A wind generator is very ideal on locations with large areas and good wind speed. That’s why it is a very popular power solution among household located near farm lands.

Setting up a wind generator is fairly easy. You don’t need to be an expert to set up one for your home. There are guides available in market to provide detailed instructions on setting up one. And since wind generators are beginning to gain popularity, more and more components are already available in the market today ready for assembly.

How does a wind generator, differ from a windmill or wind turbine?

Wind generators have existed a long time ago. It is common in the form of windmills, and wind turbine. Although their purposes are different, they mainly use the same principle that is using wind power. Today, the modern wind generator is mainly used to generate electricity rather than grind corn, or tow boats.

Advantages of using wind generator

There are so many advantage of using a wind generator. Here are just some of the benefits you can get from a wind DC generator.

Environment friendly – Wind generators is proven to be environmentally friendly. It does not emit harmful gases or any by product from power production. It simply uses the winds power, and produce clean reliable electric energy.

Power saver – Wind generators doesn’t use any other kind of fuel but the winds power. Wind is a renewable form of energy, and utilizing this form of energy helps save our non renewable energy resources.

Economical – The initial cost of setting up a wind mill is a bit expensive. But in a few years time, the initial cost is quickly recovered. And you will soon be getting free electricity to power your homes.

Independent option – You can produce your own power independently with the help of a wind DC generator, and stop relying on the government for electricity. This way you can make sure you electricity you produce comes from renewable energy with no negative effects on the environment.

24/7 power supply – Are you tired of power outages? With a wind generator you can prevent power outages. Wind power is a constant and unlimited energy. Plus, wind generators are now designed to save electricity for future use. This makes sure that you get constant power every time you need it.


Solar Energy Tax Credits – Learn How to Save Money on Solar Installation

You’ve heard about solar energy tax credits and are curious.  However trying to figure out if your new solar project is eligible for a tax credit can be confusing.  Part of this is due to the way the laws have been written and what restrictions have been placed on solar projects.

The good news is that solar energy tax credits are still available to those who are looking to get started with renewable energy. However it is important to make sure to read the fine print before purchasing any renewable energy system.  Installation companies and manufacturers are often able to help figure out the details of tax credits and how much you will be able to save.

History of Renewable Tax Credits

Tax credits for renewables have seen their ups and downs over the years.  Despite this, the industry has seen much success and growth since its humble beginnings.  Here’s a quick look back at renewable tax incentives since the 1970s:

In 1978 the Energy Tax Act was passed by Congress in response to the energy crises of the 1970’s.   As part of the act, homeowners were encouraged to invest in renewable energy technologies as well as energy conservation techniques.  Tax credits were offered that include a credit of up to $2000 for wind and solar electric devices installed on people’s homes on or after April 20th, 1977 and before January 1, 1986.  Incentives were also included for solar thermal devices and energy conservation technologies such as insulation.

Despite the great start that solar and wind power had seen due to the tax incentives, in 1985, Congress allowed the incentives to expire.  Many solar companies were forced to shut down or find other ways to stay afloat.  While federal tax incentives were brought back in 1991, it was only 9 short months until they were set to expire again.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 was created to mainly to support wind and certain bio-energy resources.  On June 30th, 1999, the PTC set forth from the Energy Policy Act of 1992 was allowed to expire.  It would take Congress a few months before things were set right again.  In December of 1999, the credit was extended until December 31st, 2001.

January 2002 came without an extension of the credits until March 2002.  In December 2003, the credits expired for a third time since the Energy Policy Act of 1992.   From late 2003 through most of 2004, attempts were made to extend and expand the tax incentives.  It was not until early October 2004 that a one -year extension (retroactive back to January 1, 2004) of the PRC was included with a larger package of tax incentives.

A few weeks after this extension, a second bill extended the PTC through 2005 and expanding the list of eligible renewable energy technologies that could receive tax credits.  In 2005, a two-year extension of the PTC was included in a large package of tax incentive in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  These tax incentives were set to expire on December 31st, 2008, however they were extended as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 signed on October 3rd, 2008.

On February 17th, 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended and expanded the tax incentives for renewables.  This legislation is the most current in regards to solar energy tax incentives.

Production Tax Credits vs. Investment Tax Credits

Solar energy tax credits are broken down into two types – Production Tax Credits (PTC) and Investment Tax Credits (ITC).  There are different rules are restrictions for both PTC and ITC.

Production Tax credits are designed towards companies that generate renewable energy including wind, solar, geothermal, bio-energy & biomass, incremental hydropower, landfill gas, small irrigation system and municipal solid waste.  Investment Tax Credits are geared towards individuals and businesses who buy renewable energy systems such as solar panels.

It’s also important to remember the distinction between tax credits and tax deductions.  A tax credit reduces the amount of tax you pay dollar-for-dollar.  So a $1500 tax credit will reduce $10,000 in taxes owed to $8500 in taxes owed.  On the other hand, tax deductions lower your taxable income which is percentage based.

Solar Tax Incentives Available Today

Photovoltaic power systems and solar hot water heating systems placed into service by December 31st, 2016 are eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost with no maximum (as opposed to other energy efficiency incentives with a cap of $1500).  The 2016 deadline gives home owners plenty of time to install systems.  However some restrictions still apply:

Systems must be placed in service from January 1st, 2009 to December 31st, 2010.  The IRS defines “placed in service” as the time the property is ready and available for use.

Solar water heaters and solar panels may be placed in second homes and still qualify for the incentive.

Solar systems must have a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement in order to qualify.  This is basically a statement from the manufacturer that certifies that the product qualifies for the tax credit.  Tax payers need to keep a copy of the statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their return.

Although not a requirement, it is a good idea to keep any receipts from solar installations and purchases that you claim on your taxes.  This can help in case of an audit.

If you are building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic’s, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC or non-solar water heaters.  This is important to keep in mind and take into consideration when deciding on a budget for home building.

For solar water heaters

At least half of the energy generated by the qualifying property must come from the sun.  Homeowners may only claim spending on the solar water heating system property, not the entire water heating system of the household.

The credit is not available for products purchased for swimming pools or hot tubs.

The water used in the solar water heater must be used in the dwelling.

The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).

For photovoltaic systems.

Systems must provide electricity for the residence

Must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirements.

It is important to note that these rebates are offered on a federal level meaning that they are available to citizens of the United States and its surrounding territories.  Incentives are also offered on a state level.  For more information on solar energy tax incentives, a great website is the DSIRE database of renewable incentives.

Future of Renewable Incentives

The 2009 bill was a big boost to the solar industry and will allow the industry to gain a more sturdy footing.  However the up and down nature of renewable tax incentives can be confusing for consumers and frustrating for industry advocates.  Long term credits are needed to truly support the move to solar energy.    In the meantime, project planners and home owners need to stay informed and be ready to act quickly to take advantage of incentives.


How is Solar Energy Used- Different Ways to Incorporate Solar Power

How is solar energy used?  Solar energy refers to radiant heat and light from the sun that is used for a wide variety of applications.  From solar thermal heat pumps to solar power plants that provide electricity to thousands of homes, solar energy can be used in many different ways! A few of the uses for solar energy include:

  • Photovoltaic (PV) or Solar Cells
  • Solar Heating applications
  • Solar Power Plants
  • Photovoltaic Applications

When most people think of solar energy, they often think of photovoltaic cells.  A photovoltaic cell is a device that captures energy from the sun and converts it into electricity.  Photovoltaic cells are place together on solar panels or PV panels. The solar panels can be used individually for applications that need small amounts of power.

You’ve probably seen various road signs powered by a single solar panel.  Many other devices have come on the market in recent years that take advantage of small solar panels to provide electricity.  These include solar powered battery chargers or solar paneled backpacks that can be used for powering laptops.

On the other hand, solar panels can be used together to provide electricity to more power intensive applications such as buildings.  When placed together, solar panels form what’s called a solar array and is just another example of how is solar energy used. Photovoltaic applications have gained much popularity in recent years as the public has taken more of an interest in environmentally sound practices.

Solar Heating Applications

We all know the sun is very hot.  But is there a way to capture some of that heat and use it to warm up things we use in our everyday lives?  You bet! There are two types of solar thermal applications.  Active solar thermal systems require a collector to absorb and collect solar radiation.   Fans or pumps are used to circulate the heated air or heat absorbing fluid.

Active systems often include some type of energy storage system. On the other hand, passive solar thermal systems involve a very minimal use of pumps or fans to distribute heat.  Passive solar heating harnesses natural heat and light from the sun, using basic building elements, such as walls, windows, floors and roofs, to control the amount of the sun’s energy that is absorbed or lost in a building.

High efficiency windows, insulation, stone floor tiles, extra layers of gypsum wallboard, and sunspaces are building elements that can be incorporated into buildings to collect heat and slowly release it – a great way to use passive solar thermal systems in a building! One of the most popular solar heating applications is solar water heaters.

The idea behind the water heaters is to minimize the amount of electricity needed to heat the water.  This is done by using free heat from the sun.  Solar heat can also be used to treat water for potable use.  This is especially important in developing countries where access to clean water and consistent electricity is limited. Additional uses of solar heat include solar furnaces, solar ponds, and solar cooking.  You can expect to see more solar thermal applications come into play in the next few years as this technology becomes further developed.

Solar Power Plants

How is solar energy used for those with massive heating and power situations?  This where the concept of solar power plant comes into play.  Most of us are aware of the concept of a power plant whether it be at a local campus level, or a large power plant that serves an entire region.  However most power plants use fossil fuels to generate electricity or heat.

Solar power plants take advantage of the sun to provide us with the power and heat we need. There are two types of solar power plants.  The first type involves solar thermal power.  Solar thermal power plants use the sun’s rays to heat a fluid, from which heat transfer systems may be used to produce steam. The steam, in turn, is converted into mechanical energy in a turbine and into electricity from a conventional generator coupled to the turbine.

Solar thermal power generation works essentially the same as generation from fossil fuels except that instead of using steam produced from the combustion of fossil fuels, the steam is produced by the heat collected from sunlight. Solar thermal technologies use concentrator systems due to the high temperatures needed to heat the fluid.

The three main types of solar-thermal power systems are: parabolic troughs, solar dish plants and solar tower systems. The second type of solar power plant involves using a very large system of solar arrays to capture energy from the sun and convert it into solar power.  Many regions around the world have set up these large array systems to provide power for entire communities!