What is the most cost-efficient way to bring green electricity into my home?
Image by Rep. Virginia Foxx
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx visits ASU Solar Homestead, a solar powered home being built to compete in the international Solar Decathlon in Washington, DC.
Question by John H: What is the most cost-efficient way to bring green electricity into my home?
I would like to invest in wiring my home with green power. I don’t have any expertise in this area. How might I incorporate solar or wind power into my home grid effectively?
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6 Responses to What is the most cost-efficient way to bring green electricity into my home?
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You can cover your roof with solar power panels and use LED lights. TURN OFF LIGHTS WHEN LEAVE ROOM. And NEVER use the old bulbs.
mthrandy
February 24, 2013 at 5:26 am
The idea is good, but I hope you’ve got a LOT of money!
BigTone
February 24, 2013 at 6:17 am
most cost efficient is a big WHAT! Conservation is the most cost effective. PV panels are not cost effective in most places. If you electricity is under $ .15/kw-hr, you are buying the most cost efficient power. If it over that and you can get a rebate of over 30%, then some form of alternative energy mat be cost efficient.
vicinic
February 24, 2013 at 6:30 am
The most cost efficient would be if your utility company has a green program. I signed up with my utility and they buy green energy in the amount I use. Where you live will determine if solar, wind or a combination would work best for you. If you are not experienced in this area I would strongly suggest looking for a licensed contractor to give you an estimate.
whsgreenmom
February 24, 2013 at 6:59 am
If you are like most American a system that cost 5 to 10 thousand is not going to happen when you can make more money by putting your money in the bank. So we have to make a system that does real work for you. A small wind or solar system that has 2 options like vent your attic or run a small fan over an electric element is a good choice and cheep and can pay for its self in less than 2 years.
LMurray
February 24, 2013 at 7:47 am
Compact fluorescent lighting, good insulation, solar water heating, there are hundreds of ways.
In order to bring solar or wind power into your home you must have a system of solar controllers and sine wave power inverters, basically a mini-power plant derived from the sun or wind. You would want to build a shed or something to house all the equipment. Then you connect it to your power source (windmill or panel array) on one end and your house on the other. Some electric companies even allow you to “backfeed” electricity into their grid from your own and they will pay you for it. You can actually make your meter run backwards! And when you use their electricity (in times of no sun or wind), it’ll remain available. But you use deep cycle batteries which are charged by the solar panels, regulated by the solar controllers, and inverted into 120V/220V by the sinewave inverters. The idea is similar for wind power except generators/alternators are used instead of solar cells. Solar power comes in, usually, as 12V or 24V. It will cost you, at minimum, $ 1500 to set up a system to power a small house. That’s for solar, not sure if wind-power is cheaper or not. HTH.
Andrew K
February 24, 2013 at 8:11 am