| The principles that guide the development of | | | | 3. You're a mid-green: You'd like to have solar panels |
| alternative energy, things like solar panels and windmills | | | | and wind turbines, but you're worried about the cost of |
| for generating electricity, mean different things to | | | | commercially available products. You recycle your |
| different people. Some people consider these to be | | | | packaging but still enjoy a burger with all its associated |
| nothing more than a hobby interest whereas others | | | | trash. You've sold your gas-guzzler and bought a small |
| take them much more seriously and are trying to build | | | | town car to save on gas. |
| them into their lives in a meaningful way. There's a | | | | 4. You're dark green: You're strongly committed to the |
| whole spectrum of attitudes out there. This spectrum | | | | green movement. You holiday at home, you get rid of |
| has been designated levels of greenness. Let's work | | | | your dryer years ago, you use a wood burning stove |
| through them: | | | | and grow your own vegetables. You recycle your |
| 1. You're not green at all: For you, alternative energy is | | | | waste water for the garden. If you could afford it |
| something you acknowledge but don't really get | | | | you'd have solar panels and windmills all over the lace |
| involved in. It's not really for you. You use the electric | | | | and sell energy back to the grid. You sold your car and |
| tumble dryer for your clothes even if the sun is shining | | | | bought a bike. What do they all have in common? |
| outside and you drive to the corner shop in your SUV, | | | | They all want to save money. |
| even though it's just a few hundred yards away. | | | | Well, no matter what shade of green you are, I've got |
| You're happy to buy a takeaway burger and drop a | | | | good news for you. You can save a huge amount |
| whole pile of trash into the trashcan without thinking | | | | every year on electricity bills by installing a few DIY |
| about what happens to it. You want to save money | | | | solar panels in your home. I don't care what shade of |
| though, especially on utility bills. | | | | green you are, you can save money, you can have |
| 2. You're a light green: You've thought about buying | | | | the satisfaction of building something worthwhile, you |
| your electricity from a green utility but haven't made | | | | can reduce your carbon footprint and maybe even |
| the switch yet. If the sun's out then your washing goes | | | | make a few dollars too, into the bargain. A DIY solar |
| on the washing line. You recycle all your plastic and | | | | panel is the simplest way to save money on your utility |
| paper. But you still drive your car all over the place and | | | | bills. So whether you're a non-green or a dark green it |
| hop on a plane without a thought. If you could save | | | | makes sense to take a close look at DIY solar panels |
| money on electricity you'd definitely go for it. | | | | and windmills. |