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

Obviously, certain forms of green power are more efficient in different climates. in the Western US, solar power tends to be a better option than wind. But if you live on the plains or in the east, wind tends to be better. That said, installation of multiple systems is always a good option. In fact, the best energy systems rely on multiple forms of power generation so that natural forces do not prevent your system from shutting down. A week-long storm may reduce the efficacy of your solar generator, but if it brings wind along, then a turbine will be all the more effective. In addition, many forms of green power work where you might not think they would- you can still get power out of solar panel in a cloudy climate- albeit less than if you live in a desert.

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

Green power is, in the long-term sense, a money saver. However, you need a certain amount of money to begin your project. If your budget is constrained, consider one of the many online guidebooks that can show you how to build your own generators for as little as $150.

As a final note, building green energy saves on both finances and environmental impact. Most Western governments are providing tax breaks or grant incentives for building power. In addition, the money saved in utilities ads up over time

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.

Technorati Tags:: Alternative Energy, Climate change, Energy Savings, green power, Solar Power, wind power

Recycle The Items Around You

We are constantly being told to recycle as much of our waste as we can. plastic containers and cardboard items can be recycled with relative ease as lots of people have separate bins for this stuff or can drop it off at a recycling centre in town. Larger items are another issue however, and we don’t really get told what to do with these. Things like chairs, windows and kitchen units usually find their way to the tip and often get destroyed. This is not only a big environmental concern but also a financial one, so here is some advice for making the most from the items already in your home.

Wood. Lots of people are very quick to get rid of their old chest of draws or bookshelf without taking some time to consider if they still have some use. With a little imagination you can make a great coffee table by bolting a 2 or 3 kitchen cupboards together, removing the handles and placing them door-side-up on the floor. The best bit is that the coffee table will double up as storage space as you can just open the lid and pop stuff in. You can also use wood to make lots of little things such as door stops and chopping boards and even wine racks

Glassware. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be an expert in glass melting in order to reuse an old glass. Glasses can be used to pot house plants, store knick-knacks in, and even create feature walls with if you’ve got the time to make it. Glass is a very versatile material to use but people tend to just get unnecessarily scared trying to recycle it.

Furniture. This is one of the hardest things to recycle and I’m not saying that you will be able to make tableware out of your old sofa, but sometimes there is scope to get a few more years out of items you thought were at the end of their life. If items have exhausted their use in the home, they can often be put to good use in the garden. If you take off the padding, most dining chairs can be used outside if given a good coat of varnish. Old curtain poles also come in very useful for attaching a clothes line to, or running cable through to the shed or garage.

Technorati Tags:: green, homeware, house, Recycling, Reuse

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