Alternative Energy – Solar – Wind – Geothermal – Water

Three Alternative Energy Solutions For Homes

One of the hot topics right now is alternative energy solutions, or, “green” energy. Here are three alternative energy solutions, the benefits, and how they work.

Wind Power

Wind power is created by a turbine on a tall tower using the wind to kinetically make electricity. A wind powered generator, can save 50 to 90 percent off of an electricity bill and can offset 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gases that would have been created by an electric company. They have very few moving parts, can be installed quite easily, and when your turbine produces more electricity than your home needs, the electric company is required by law to buy it from you, or the excess can be stored in batteries for later use in your home.

The cost for a generator can be quite steep, though. A small turbine can cost from $6,000 to $22,000, including installation. The cost can be paid for by government incentives and grants for those using and installing “green” forms of electricity, and the operating cost for a wind powered generator is basically nothing at all. A turbine can be retro fitted to your home’s electrical system, so there is no rewiring that needs to be done for this alternative energy solution.

Solar Power

Solar power is made by converting sunlight into electricity using cells made from silicon, which, when exposed to sunlight, creates an electric charge. This process is called photovoltaics.

Solar home kits can cost up to $10,000 or more, depending on your energy needs. Solar rebate programs or tax credits can help offset this cost. For example, the California Energy Commission has reserved $3.2 billion for funding solar projects throughout California. The money is doled out through cooperation with utility companies and businesses can get an automatic 30% federal tax credit for using this alternative energy solution. And, just like when using wind power, if you produce more electricity than you need, you can sell it to your electric company.

Hydro Power

If you are lucky enough to have a source of running water near your home, such as a river, stream, or brook, then hydro power may be an alternative energy solution worth looking into. Hydro power is formed by small water generators called micro-hydro turbines that are set into the water’s stream. These turbines can produce non-stop power no matter what the weather is like, unlike solar or wind powered alternative energy solutions. It is also the cheapest alternative. A home turbine system can cost as little as $1,000 to $3,000 dollars.

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How Alternative Energy Works – Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Energy has been the topic of many discussions in recent years. What has sparked this fierce and sometimes violent debate is the fact that our Earth is running out of it. Fossil fuels are greatly depleted as wars are being fought for the control of these resources.

The natural solution to the shortage problem we’re facing is to find some other source of alternative energy. But, where can we find them? And if we do, how do we harness it sufficiently enough to save power in the long run? The answer to the questions is simple – let’s turn to the Earth4energy.

The main source of power for all living things on Earth is the sun. The light emitting from that flaming ball of hydrogen hanging in the vast reaches of space is used in plants as part of their photosynthesis. We humans, in turn, consume these plants and have the energy transferred to us.

But, we could use the energy contained in sunlight more directly in the form of solar power. In certain parts of India and the United States are vast collections of mirrors that reflect sunlight into a receiver that contains water. The concentrated heat produced boils the water and the vapor moves along several pipes and spins a turbine that causes it to generate electricity. However, the cost of erecting these huge structures is dear and they’re only feasible in certain regions. So far, civilian solar powered homes are not that effective in saving power and reducing electricity bills.

Wind power is also a popular option for those who don’t receive scorching sunlight all-year around. In the Netherlands, the government has built windmills, placed strategically on the nation’s wind-swept plains. The principle of the windmill is the same as solar cells, except that they use the wind to turn the turbines. This form of alternative energy is apparently efficient enough to power a whole country.

Geothermal energy is another way we can turn to the Earth4energy. We can actually harness the heat and power that is trapped between the Earth’s crusts and use it in our power stations. The potential of this alternative energy is vast, since this is the type of might that causes earthquakes and volcanic explosions.

The possibilities of alternative energy are still largely unexplored. What we need is proper funding and brilliant minds who can find cost-efficient ways to build windmills and solar cells. Fossil fuels are almost gone, people. We need alternative energy, like solar power and wind power to save power and reduce electricity bills.
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