The cost of renewable energy has dropped dramatically in recent years, and more and more homes are turning to solar power, wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps to cut their electricity bills.
Learning which sources are best for your needs and how to integrate them correctly is essential as you think about adding renewable energy sources to your home.
Here are some of the most popular renewable energy sources and the pros and cons of each one.
Solar Power
The most popular option, solar power, offers a sustainable solution to your electricity needs. With solar panels on your home or business roof, you can produce enough electricity to meet your needs. Plus, if you have a battery storage system, such as Tesla's Powerwall or Sunverge systems, you can store excess energy and use it at night or on cloudy days. There are two types of solar panels: crystalline and thin film.
The crystalline panel has been around longer, but they're more expensive than thin film panels, which are now just as efficient and less durable in high temperatures. In addition, crystalline panels usually come with inverters that convert DC current into AC current, which we need for our homes - so be sure to check that this is included with your purchase.
If you need to install solar yourself, many companies will help walk you through the process from start to finish and take care of all the permits required by law. Ensure you research before signing up with any company to ensure they are reputable and trustworthy. You should also look at different incentives available where you live, like tax credits, rebates, or other incentives, to see what might work best for you financially.
Wind Power
Homeowners who install wind turbines to generate electricity are called wind power producers. A turbine and installation can range from $10,000 to $100,000. For that reason, it is often financed by a bank or other financial institution.
Some homeowners receive subsidies from the government to afford to purchase or lease a turbine. It is also possible to rent a turbine and avoid paying upfront. In many cases, homeowners will receive tax credits for installing renewable energy sources like wind turbines in their homes.
Hydroelectricity
You may have heard of hydroelectricity, but what exactly is it? Hydroelectricity is energy generated by exploiting water power. It's a renewable energy source because it relies on natural resources, and no emissions are released into the atmosphere.
Hydroelectricity can be harnessed at various scales, from small-scale (home) to large-scale (industrial). For example, if you live in a rural area with a stream or river running through your backyard, consider building a small-scale hydropower system to power your house.
Small-scale hydropower systems are easy to install and maintain. You can purchase or build one for your home for under $10,000 in materials. A smaller size will do the trick, depending on how much electricity you need and how many gallons per minute flow in the stream/river near your house.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal works because there is always an even temperature distribution on the earth, unlike solar panels, which only work when it's sunny. This means you can use geothermal energy at night or when it's cloudy. And you don't need to worry about pollution! Using geothermal energy is a great way to save money while protecting the environment.
Many people install heat pumps in their homes to use this renewable energy source. A heat pump uses electricity from your power grid to turn water into the hot and cold air, creating a continuous cycle through your home.
Biomass
You'll need to install a biomass heating system if you use biomass as an energy source. A biomass heating system can be fueled with wood pellets or logs, but you may also use briquettes made from coal dust, manure, straw, and sawdust.
Biomass heating systems can run on gas or electricity as fuel sources for generating heat in your home's water heater and furnace systems. It is becoming more popular because of its environmental benefits and renewable nature. The only drawback is that it is only sometimes available locally, so you may need help finding someone to supply it.
