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