| If you happen to still be going through your own | | | | agencies known as Renewable Energy Incentives, |
| debate as to whether or not you think going | | | | Rebates & Grants whereby in some states you |
| green is for you consider a few facts regarding | | | | can receive enough to offset your costs for your |
| the power sources available to renewable energy. | | | | equipment. Visit the Database of State Incentives |
| 1. The amount of solar energy intercepted by the | | | | for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) web site for all |
| Earth every minute is greater than the amount of | | | | the details regarding these incentives. A word of |
| energy the world uses in fossil fuels each year. | | | | wisdom for those of you considering the |
| 2. The energy in the winds that blow across the | | | | Do-It-Yourself method of building your very own |
| United States each year produce more than one | | | | solar panel system or wind turbine generators or |
| and one-half times the energy consumed by the | | | | for that matter ANY sustainable energy system |
| entire planet in an average year. | | | | you plan on using either grid tied to your utility |
| 3. Renewable energy sources are 100% clean and | | | | companies grid or off-grid. First of all your power |
| carbon free. | | | | company has very strict guidelines as to what |
| 4. Renewable energy sources cannot pollute our | | | | systems can be tied to their grid and they are |
| air, land, or oceans when accidentally spilled and | | | | not going to permit any home made system to |
| they certainly do not harm the wildlife. | | | | be tied to their grid. As part of these strict |
| These energy sources are absolutely free and | | | | guidelines all sustainable energy systems MUST be |
| once you have the equipment needed to harness | | | | Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and California |
| them for use in your homes and businesses you | | | | Energy Counsel(CEC) listed meaning that they |
| will be able to breath much easier knowing that | | | | have been rigorously tested by these |
| you will never again have to worry about the | | | | organizations and given their seal of approval |
| ever increasing energy costs from your local | | | | before they can be used in any grid tied |
| utility companies or pollution created in its | | | | configuration. |
| generation. How much money has your current | | | | Off grid systems are also in high demand and as |
| utility cost you in the past years to power your | | | | the technology behind deep cell batteries used |
| home or to keep the lights burning at your | | | | with them has improved greatly as have their |
| business? Would you say that your financial life | | | | costs they make an excellent energy source for |
| would be impacted by the savings you would | | | | remote locations. These systems can function |
| experience immediately? All across the globe | | | | both on or off the grid allowing home owners to |
| people are waking up to the fact that if we learn | | | | receive the best of both worlds because once |
| to live in harmony with the world instead of using | | | | these systems are fully charged the remaining |
| up its resources we would all live far better lives, | | | | power generated is then passed back out onto |
| and the world would be in much better shape to | | | | the grid through Net Metering allowing the |
| leave to our children. Utilizing renewable energy | | | | homeowner to build up credits with their local |
| sources in our daily lives just makes sense in | | | | utility company that are used during the evening |
| every possible case anyone can think of and they | | | | hours and the excess is paid out monthly in some |
| definitely make the most sense to those of us | | | | states, annually in others. However, despite this |
| who want to not only save for the future, but | | | | great energy sources ability to supplement many |
| plan for it as well. | | | | area utility grids partially there are yet many utility |
| In fact, at present there really is only one | | | | companies that refuse to pay for any power |
| drawback to going green and that is its initial cost | | | | they receive through net metering. |
| to purchase the equipment and have it installed. | | | | Do-It-Yourself renewable energy systems follow |
| This is mostly because from a production | | | | none of the accepted standards which are |
| perspective we are still paying off the costs | | | | required by your state department of energy, |
| associated with its development and with all of | | | | North American Board of Energy Practitioners |
| the start up companies that are only recently | | | | (NABCEP) or any regulatory agency which |
| coming into the game these costs will not likely be | | | | oversees and implements these standards. In |
| coming down. Just like every other new | | | | fact, the ONLY thing that the individuals who |
| technologies emergence has shown, prices start | | | | market the plans for these systems want is the |
| out and remain high until we reach a point of | | | | instant cash to sell you their plans so you can try |
| market saturation. But you need to lower or | | | | building them. If you do attempt this do not go |
| eliminate your electric utility bill today you may | | | | looking for any incentives to help pay for it unless |
| think. Well herein is where the trade off lays and | | | | of course you are simply planning on giving |
| while the costs associated with going green are in | | | | someone at your department of energy a good |
| fact high, the costs of not going green over the | | | | laugh. So I would recommend using nothing but |
| long run are far higher allowing you to save less. | | | | quality UL and CEC listed systems designed with |
| There is a silver lining to this dilemma brought to | | | | your safety, energy efficiency and cost |
| you by our State and Federal government | | | | effectiveness in mind. |