I happen to know a couple, Pam and Phil, who are both teachers. One is a principal and the other happens to be a really smart English teacher. Of course, they don’t make a ton of money, and they have a baby on the way. Instead of just throwing the idea of solar power right out the window, they sat down, did the numbers, and did a lot of research too. One option they had was to put an entire system on their house and get rid of using coal and the other option allowed them to get rid of coal while paying nothing. Take a guess which option they decided to go with.

The option available is known as solar leasing. If you can’t afford to pay for a system outright, this option allows you to lease the system you need and it makes a great alternative that you won’t want to pass up. Not sure how it works? Here is a closer look.

First of all, you make the decision to go with solar power, which is definitely a great decision for the environment. Then you take measures to contact a company that leases out these systems, such as SolarCity, which works in states including Texas, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona. Then you can ask them if your home is going to be a good fit for solar power. If you end up being a good candidate, then you sign all the paper work and they show up and put in a photovoltaic system on the house and you don’t have to pay. You can monitor it wirelessly and it also has a good warranty. What you pay is a fee on the setup and this fee usually ends up begin less than the electric bill you are paying. The amount stays the same as well for the entire lease life, which can save you money too.

Basically, this is a great option if you want to choose greener solar energy for your home but you don’t have the money. You don’t have to pay anything up front, they install the system for you, and you pay a fee that is less than your electric bill. You are able to kick the cola habit and you cut down on what you pay for energy each month, which is a great benefit. Of course, there are a variety of options to consider when you are considering the transition to solar energy. However, this one is one of the best options and can allow you to have the solar energy you need without the up front huge expense of paying to have the photovoltaic system put in by yourself.

An average residential turbine requires wind speeds of 10 miles per hour

In some places of the world, wind turbine power accounts for ten percent of the total electricity consumed.  This is, sadly, a very small fraction of the power generation and consumption coming from coal plants as well as from solar panels.  Still, it is progress that we should welcome for the simple reason that taking it one step at a time is better than taking no steps at all in the right direction.

To take these small but important steps towards cleaner electricity through wind power, it is important to know about the secrets, open these may be to anyone interested, behind wind turbine technology.

Turbines in Relation to the Generation of Electricity
Think of your ordinary electric fan – it generates wind by using electricity.  Now think of the wind turbine although in a reverse mode – it generates electricity by using wind.  The technology behind wind power can be summed up as simply as that statement.

But of course, electricity generation is hardly ever that simple.  Let’s put it this way for the non-techie amongst us.  The turbine blades are designed so as to capture the maximum amount of wind, which will cause them to rotate.  In turn, the rotation spins the low-speed shaft gear connected to the high-speed shaft gear, the latter of which is housed inside the generator housing.

The domino effect is such that the electrical current generated by the movement of the gears, shafts and rotors are then fed into the main grid or a battery pack.  You will then enjoy the benefits of electricity.

Residential Wind Turbines
Lest you think that you cannot have a wind turbine in your home, think again.  Although you should ask local authorities and consider environmental conditions in your area, you can avail of residential wind turbines starting at around $12,000 each.

If you think that it is too much money, do consider that energy tax rebates are available that can lessen the final cost of the unit.  Plus, you can recoup your investment through lesser dependence on the main grid, not to mention that your carbon footprint on our already beleaguered planet is also significantly lesser.

Just to give numbers to this eco-friendly fact, for every kilowatt-hour of wind turbine-generated electricity consumed, about 1.5 pounds of carbon emitted into the air by coal-powered plants can be avoided.  You do know that carbon dioxide is one of the major contributors to global warming, don’t you?

Passing of Wind Considerations
We are talking about placing your residential wind turbines in an area where the maximum amount of wind can be experienced.  An average residential turbine requires wind speeds of 10 miles per hour to generate electricity.  So, if you live in an area with little to no wind, you should opt for solar panels.  But if you are really enthusiastic about wind power, you should look into turbines that can operate on 5 miles per hour wind speeds.  And with blades as large as 20 meters, you must make sure that the neighbors will not be disturbed by the rotations.

As with any other methods of power generation, wind turbines have their merits and demerits.  Still, when it comes to clean energy from wind power, we are willing to take the cons with the pros anytime of day.

Advances in solar cell efficiency and materials are making solar panel systems a reality for those in less than perfect weather conditions. No longer do solar panel systems need to be installed in only dry, super sunny areas like California, Florida, or the Sun Belt in between. Homeowners in cooler climates and overcast conditions are still able to take advantage of solar panel system utility savings.

First, the weather doesn’t have to be sunny for a solar panel to absorb the sun’s rays. Solar panels absorb the sun’s rays of light, and this includes the invisible spectrum. We’ve all experienced a sun-burn on overcast days or through thin clothing, and it is a similar principle here. Unfortunately, when the weather is not sunny, the power generated by the solar panel is significantly reduced but not removed entirely.

Second, angles of solar panels and the use of mirrors or other magnifying instruments can help overcome a lack of direct sunlight. Many solar panel companies in less than ideal weather areas are experimenting with ways to artificially magnify the sun’s rays to increase power production. As the problems with the reflective surface of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles has taught us, mirrored surfaces that intensify the sun’s rays are dangerous. Only experienced solar panel specialists should be involved with systems to use mirrors or other devices to overcome adverse weather conditions.

Homeowners in certain harsh weather climates should also invest in a solar panel system with durable frames. Although wood and aluminum frames are more affordable, they will not stand up to years of snow or heavy rains without deteriorating. The acidity or salt levels in moisture should also be taken into account when selecting a frame for solar panels. More durable frames of composite materials and stainless steel are the ideal frames for solar panels in places with harsh winters or high precipitation rates.

Snow can be problematic for solar panel system owners. Hardware stores and online specialty stores now sell “roof rakes” that can reach up to 20-30 feet and slide the snow off the roof. For solar panel use, homeowners should make sure there is a rubber bottom to the aluminum plating to prevent scratching or other damage to the solar panels themselves. Removing the snow can bring energy production levels back up, and it prevents the snow from compacting in slow to melt and hard to remove sheet of ice.

Another savvy trick for homes in heavy snow conditions is in the wiring. Since solar panel systems are wired together, obstruction in one area can heavily affect the entire solar panel grid’s power output. Talk to your solar panel installation specialist and try to make sure the top of the solar panel system on the roof is as unaffected as possible from obstruction on the lower portion of the solar panels. The top portion of the roof is the area more likely to have snow slide off due to the sharp angle and remain unobstructed to sunlight.

Just because you don’t have the super sunny days of the southern states doesn’t mean a solar panel system is a waste of money. More efficient solar cells, durable solar panel frames, and tricks to handle snow are all it takes for those in harsher climates to enjoy the energy cost savings of a solar panel system. As an added bonus, it might even make it easier to receive a solar energy rebate from your state. People in colder climates think solar panels can’t work for them, and are less likely to pursue a system let alone seek a government rebate. But today’s solar panel systems do not absorb heat from the sun like much older systems, but the rays of the sun which shine through clouds, snow, and even rain.

Reduce your power bill by 80% or even eliminate it completely!

As well as the incentive to save money during a recession, saving on electricity also means you are helping the environment. Electricity sourced from coal powered stations is non-renewable and linked to high carbon emissions, so there is more than one reason to turn out the lights. But saving money on electricity requires everyone in the household to help out – here are a few strategies you can start implementing right away.

In a typical US household, home heating and cooling can account for just over half of a household’s energy use, with the other half being fairly evenly split between appliances and water heating. So make the most of big decisions regarding heating and cooling options if you are at the stage of purchasing, but if that is not possible you can still reduce your overall bills by focusing on appliance use and limiting your use of heating and cooling whenever possible.

1. Turn appliances off at the on/off switch or unplug them rather than leaving them on standby. Also, when an appliance comes to the end of its life, consider seriously whether it needs replacing. When you do buy a new appliance, compare the energy efficiency ratings before making a purchase. Look at the wattage of each product.

2. Think about installing a solar powered water heating system. Water heating systems are a major user of electricity in the home. If you do keep an electricity powered system in place, be strict on shower frequency and length.

3. Turn lights off when you leave the room, and limit the use of lights during the day wherever possible. Allow natural light in instead. Make sure all fittings use compact fluorescent lights, which use 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

4. Use energy-saving home heating options, such as slow combustion wood heating, instead of electric heaters. Although natural gas is a fossil fuel, it may be cheaper to power a heating system on gas instead of electricity. Ask whether you really need heating or cooling before you switch something on – dress for the weather first. Ceiling fans use less power than air conditioning systems.

5. The kitchen is a big energy user – consider doing tasks by hand rather than using an appliance where you can, such as chopping and mixing. When using an electric kettle, only use enough water as you need to boil. The bathroom and laundry can also be big areas of electricity consumption- clothes dryers and even hair dryers use a lot of electricity for example, so devise ways to cut back on how often they are used.

6. Make sure your computer or PC is switched off when you are not using it for long periods and is set to energy-saving mode in between those times.

7. Think of fun ways to encourage a reduction in power usage, for example having a night a week where you only use candle light, or a television free night each week with board games or reading and conversation instead.

Once you have built these strategies into your household routine, saving on electricity will be a lot easier. There are also devices available on the market allowing you to monitor your energy usage. Check your utility provider’s rates and shop around to see if you can get a better deal. Ideally, you would use an energy provider that offers renewable energy sources but this may not be cost effective for everyone.

Keep in mind that the biggest electricity users in most households are heating and cooling – so if you can ensure your house is properly insulated, and find natural ways to release heat in summer and contain it in winter this will make a big difference to your total energy costs.