This article is part 1 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
What is Renewable Energy?
Certain forms of energy are called “renewable” because these fuel sources are constantly replenished and will not run out. Renewable energy—like the sun and wind—is readily available through-out the United States. Renewable energy technologies take this energy and con-vert [...]
This article is part 2 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
Many renewable energy technologies make sense for consumers today. Prices have dropped during the past 20 years and the technologies have improved. Using renewable energy is easier than ever. Alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol are becoming more widely available, and [...]
This article is part 3 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
When describing electricity production, the terms electric power (or capacity) and electric energy (or electricity) are often used. “Power” is the ability to do work and “energy” is the actual performance of the work, or the use of that ability over a [...]
This article is part 4 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
The following briefly describes renewable energy technologies that might be offered in green pricing programs or competitive markets in your area.
If you do not currently have the option to choose your electricity supplier, contact your utility to find out what [...]
This article is part 5 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
At first glance, generating your own electricity using renewable fuel sources seems like the ideal way to avoid monthly utility bills. For some homeowners, self-generation is a choice that makes sense for their circumstances and fits into their values. However, self-generation involves [...]
This article is part 6 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
All wind energy systems consist of a wind turbine, a tower, wiring, and the “balance of system” (BOS) components: controllers, inverters, and/or batteries.
Home wind turbines consist of a rotor, a generator mounted on a frame, and (usually) a tail. [...]
This article is part 7 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
Photovoltaic cells produce direct current (DC) electricity. About 40 cells are joined together in enclosed, protective casings called modules. About ten of these modules are mounted in one PV panel. These flatplate PV panels can be mounted facing south, or they can [...]
This article is part 8 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
If you are fortunate enough to have a stream running through your property, you might be able to generate hydropower. Microhydropower is a term used to describe very small hydropower systems. The definition of microhydropower varies, but is generally below 300 kilowatts. [...]
This article is part 9 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
According to many renewable energy experts, a standalone “hybrid” system that combines generation sources, such as wind and PV, offers several advantages over a single generation system.
In much of the United States, wind speeds are low in the summer when [...]
This article is part 10 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home.
In addition to wind turbines, PV modules, or a microhydropower generator, you must purchase BOS equipment, when generating your own power. This may include battery charge controllers, batteries, inverters, wires, conduit, a grounding circuit, fuses, safety disconnects, outlets, metal structures for supporting [...]
