Choosing Solar or Wind Power

Deciding on what kind of green power is appropriate for your life requires careful planning. Most importantly, you have to consider what kind of property you own. Certain properties have an abundance of natural resources, while others do not. Some properties have no outside space in which to install solar panels or wind turbines. However, this should not be a limitation. All designs of property, even apartment, can lend themselves to the creation of green power. It is also a lucky coincidence that most locations that lack one natural resource are usually abundant in another.

Your Property

Most of the power systems that we associate with green power- specifically solar panels and wind turbines- require outside space. Few properties have streams running through them, but if you are lucky enough to have such a property, there are many options for building micro-hydro systems. In all cases, there are options. If you have no outside space, you can look to the roof- while not ideal for wind (not impossible, just not ideal), it is a great place for a solar array. If you only have inside space, there are still passive solar systems that can be installed, such as window boxes relying on passive solar technology or windows based on the same technology.

Where you Live

A second key consideration is simply where you live. Some areas lend themselves to solar power due to large amounts of sunshine. This is great if you live in in the Southwestern US. On the other hand, if you live in a cloudier climate, you may want to look to wind systems. In truth, where there is less sun, there tends to be more wind. It is also worth noting that you need not live in the perfect climate in order to install green power. Solar panels may function better in Phoenix than Chicago, but they will still get sun in Chicago.

Backup

Choosing the type of power backup you will use is necessary if you truly want to have success in maintaining green energy as your primary form of power. For many, this is a battery bank. For others, it’s to tie your power system into an existing power grid. Either option has its ups and downs, but before installing a system, this should be considered.

Finances

Although green power ultimately saves money, how much you can spare to build the system in the first place. If you are on a very limited budget, consider buying an online guidebook. Many of these books teach you how to create your own system for as little as $200 or less. If you have more to spare, you can consider buying new systems or even having one installed.

While that initial investment may be high, in the long-run, green power is a money saver. Most government offer tax incentives to those who build green power. In some cases, there are grants available- either locally or from your national government. Utility companies will often do this. Either way, in the US and Canada, you can claim a tax break based on having an “energy efficient property” every year- saving you a lot of money for many years to come. And this is without considering the money saved every month by cutting out power bills. A well-designed system will prevent you from ever paying for power again- and you may even find yourself making money by selling your electricity back to the power company.

Perhaps the most important result of this, however, is not financial. All that money you save is a great incentive. But for many, the greater incentive will that creating your own power constributes to saving the climate on a much larger scale.

I wish you all good luck and good building!

Damon Westchester is the editor of build-green-power.com.

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