DIY Green Energy Options

Posted by Kelly Smith Jul 27, 2008

Ok, a huge number of folks are taking a "staycation" this summer; fuel is too costly to take a proper vacation. Even if you're not driving, planes, trains, busses, and boats are feeling the pinch. They have to pass energy costs on to the traveler. That's you, loyal reader!

Another Way You Shoulder High Energy Costs

Who else is affected? Your electricity provider. Since Congress (thanks, Nancy Pelosi) won't let us drill domestically or expand coal or nuclear power generation, they rely on fossil fuels and gas. This is a USA-centric observation; I don't know enough about other nation's policies to comment universally - sorry.

These prices are also passed on to the consumer, which makes even staycations expensive. But if you explore DIY alternative green energy options, you might find some way to relieve the bite in the long run. Such as:

• Residential solar panels - These PV (photovotaic) arrays capture the sun's radiant energy, and OPEC can't get their boney hands around your throat there!
• Wind turbines - You don't have to install a wind farm like the one on the Texas plains or the propsed floating ones in the Gulf of Mexico. A single "windmill" in your backyard can take advantage of nature's bounty. Once again, I say, "Ha, OPEC!"
• A paddlewheel and running water - You're saying, "Huh?" And you would be correct. This option isn't viable for most of us. But if it is, why not use it?