by James B.
Member since:
December 23, 2007

Solar or Wind Power: Are you ready?

May 10, 2008 09:19 PM EDT
views: 86 | rating: 10/10 (14 votes) | comments: 15
Originally published here.

The cost of solar and wind power installations keeps dropping, for the most part, with occasional, temporary price rises in the solar area if silicon supplies are an issue. The following links all point to a site that offers information on practical solutions and tax rebates in different regions.

Here are a few ways you can bring solar power to your own home with the help of expert installers:

1.1kW Grid-Tied Solar Electric System


1.9kW Grid-Tied Solar Electric System

Here are a few ways to bring wind power to your home:

Air Breeze Land Wind Turbine

Skystream 3.7 Grid Tie 1.8kW Wind Power System
Here is a battery to store the clean power you generate:

Xantrex XPower 1500 W/60 AH BATTERY
I hope that you find these resources useful.

© James K. Bashkin, 2008

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Comments: 15

JoAnne D. May 10, 2008, 9:23pm EDT
Solar power is very intewresting, I think it would be more in use than it is. I haven't read the why nots lately. It seems like it would be reliable since the sun shines on a daily basis.
Vikki M. May 10, 2008, 9:27pm EDT
My sister and her husband have solar panels that they had installed on their house. They said that it was the best purchase they ever made.
James B. May 10, 2008, 9:30pm EDT
JoAnne, you are absolutely right: solar power is very reliable and is being used all over the world, including in the US, for individual homes and huge power plants. If you search Gather for Solar Power you will see articles by a number of writers here on the small and large installations.

There are big differences from state to state in the US regarding tax benefits. In California, people have been installing solar power for a long time in homes. Similar things are seen in Arizona and other western States. Thanks for the feedback!
James B. May 10, 2008, 9:31pm EDT
Vikki: that is really exciting to hear. The more people find alternative energy to be a sensible choice, financially and for the environment, the better off we will all be. Thanks!
Bridget ♥ May 10, 2008, 9:36pm EDT
My parents have had a solar system for 15 years.
James B. May 10, 2008, 9:55pm EDT
Excellent news, Bridget! More people will feel comfortable with the technology with examples like your parents leading the way. Best wishes.
gautami tripathy May 11, 2008, 12:49am EDT
We truly need to trap both. We also need to do water harvesting.
Sam Carana May 11, 2008, 2:34am EDT
Good examples of some very useful facilities, James, and you're right, people shouldn't be taxed for doing the right thing!
James B. May 11, 2008, 11:37am EDT
Thanks Sam!

Gautami, You are certainly correct. Fresh water is very scare and valuable in many places, and needs to be conserved and collected in the best ways possible. In the US, we have an over-abundance of water in some areas and almost none in others. Transporting water is always complicated, though. Evaporative losses can be very high and they end up concentrating the salt (mineral) content of the water so that further purification may be necessary. Of course, depending on the minerals, some of them are essential for nutrition. Some kinds of water harvesting give mineral-free water, which can be helpful in many applications but, of course, lacks the nutrient minerals that are needed by plants and animals. So, this area deserves a lot of thought, work and investment.

Thanks for the comments!
DIANE D. May 16, 2008, 7:53pm EDT
I have been solor heating my pool for 4 years now, works great.
James B. May 17, 2008, 12:05am EDT
Diane, that's great. Heating water is responsible for the largest amount of residential energy use, if I recall correctly. Using solar heating makes a huge impact on reducing energy costs and usage (from the grid or gas lines). Solar heating can be used to replace gas or electric water heaters for the entire house. Thanks for the feedback.
Charli Mills May 18, 2008, 12:30am EDT
What a great, informative post! Thanks!
Austin Cushing May 18, 2008, 1:38am EDT
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Digital Diva S. Jun 14, 2008, 6:09am EDT
I am in awe of the wind machines I pass while traveling in New England.
Mary G. Jun 16, 2008, 6:26am EDT
Excellent article

I live in an area where solar is being used a lot more now.
People are saving money. Thanks for the link, as am always looking for more information about this topic.

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