The Clean Energy Choice In Transportation

Part 15 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. One of the more challenging ways to use clean energy is in fueling our cars. Advanced transportation technologies—including fuel cells, electric motors, advanced engines, improved materials, and other technologies—aim to reduce pollution and minimize petroleum fuel use in cars, trucks, buses, fleet vehicles, and public […]

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Renewable Heating and Lighting RESOURCES

Part 14 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ACEEE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection. ACEEE provides publications and guides on making your home more energy efficient. Alliance to Save Energy […]

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Geothermal Heat Pumps & Other Energy Sources

Part 13 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. One of the most energy-efficient options for heating and cooling your home draws on another form of renewable energy—geothermal energy, or heat from the earth. This is not the hot steam and heat that comes from deep underground (discussed here). Rather, geothermal heat pumps draw […]

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Clean Choices for Heating, Cooling, and Lighting: RENEWABLE ENERGY AT HOME

Part 12 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. Heating and cooling uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 44% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. What’s more, heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit more than a half-billion […]

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Finding a Dealer: Self-Generation: Make your own power

Part 11 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. Your dealer can help you analyze your loads and size your system correctly. The dealer will install your equipment, making sure that it runs properly. Dealers will also have contacts at the local utility if you are connecting your system to the utility grid. With […]

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Balance-of-System (BOS) Equipment: Self-Generation: Make your own power

Part 10 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. In addition to wind turbines, PV modules, or a microhydropower generator, you must purchase BOS equipment, when generating your own power. This may include battery charge controllers, batteries, inverters, wires, conduit, a grounding circuit, fuses, safety disconnects, outlets, metal structures for supporting the PV modules, […]

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Hybrid Power Systems Self-Generation: Make your own power

Part 9 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. According to many renewable energy experts, a standalone “hybrid” system that combines generation sources, such as wind and PV, offers several advantages over a single generation system. In much of the United States, wind speeds are low in the summer when the sun shines brightest […]

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Microhydropower Systems Self-Generation: Make your own power

Part 8 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. If you are fortunate enough to have a stream running through your property, you might be able to generate hydropower. Microhydropower is a term used to describe very small hydropower systems. The definition of microhydropower varies, but is generally below 300 kilowatts. At this size, […]

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Solar Energy (PV) Systems Self-Generation: Make your own power

Part 7 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. Photovoltaic cells produce direct current (DC) electricity. About 40 cells are joined together in enclosed, protective casings called modules. About ten of these modules are mounted in one PV panel. These flatplate PV panels can be mounted facing south, or they can be mounted on […]

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Wind Energy Systems Self-Generated Power/Electricity

Part 6 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. All wind energy systems consist of a wind turbine, a tower, wiring, and the “balance of system” (BOS) components: controllers, inverters, and/or batteries. Home wind turbines consist of a rotor, a generator mounted on a frame, and (usually) a tail. With the spinning blades, the […]

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Self-Generation Principles: Making Your Own Power/Electricity

Part 5 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. At first glance, generating your own electricity using renewable fuel sources seems like the ideal way to avoid monthly utility bills. For some homeowners, self-generation is a choice that makes sense for their circumstances and fits into their values. However, self-generation involves investing your money […]

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Clean Energy Choices for Today

Part 4 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. The following briefly describes renewable energy technologies that might be offered in green pricing programs or competitive markets in your area. If you do not currently have the option to choose your electricity supplier, contact your utility to find out what their plans are regarding […]

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A Note About Electricity Terms

Part 3 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. When describing electricity production, the terms electric power (or capacity) and electric energy (or electricity) are often used. “Power” is the ability to do work and “energy” is the actual performance of the work, or the use of that ability over a period of time. […]

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What Renewable Energy Technologies Make Sense for Consumers Now?

Part 2 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. Many renewable energy technologies make sense for consumers today. Prices have dropped during the past 20 years and the technologies have improved. Using renewable energy is easier than ever. Alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol are becoming more widely available, and new vehicles that […]

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The What and Why of Renewable Energy

Part 1 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. What is Renewable Energy? Certain forms of energy are called “renewable” because these fuel sources are constantly replenished and will not run out. Renewable energy—like the sun and wind—is readily available through-out the United States. Renewable energy technologies take this energy and con-vert it into […]

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