Green Power!
If you have been following the Presidential campaigns you know both candidates are advocating a switch to green renewable energy. The two that get the most press are wind and solar. If you have been out to West Texas lately you might have seen the impressive wind farms out there. They are generating quite a bit of clean electrical energy. I also suspect we will see more application of solar energy also start coming to market.
You can tap this limitless supply of energy too! I have been thinking to add a gazebo to my back yard and have been slow to do it because of the electrical run that would be needed to get lights and power for entertainment devices. I was looking at a “Real Goods” catalog and it hit me I could use solar cells to power my gazebo. Also, depending on the final design (roof area) can power other yard lighting needs. I may also be able to run electrical power tools from the power generated by the gazebo. Using an application in this manner does not require me to get approval from the local utility, as any power I generate will not be tied to the power grid. This would work for a detached garage also…remember we do not want those autos in an attached garage unless it has been sealed so the vapors and other air pollutants can not enter your home.
Harnessing the wind may not be as easy if you live inside city limits as most HOAs will have a say about any mast you put up to put a wind turbine on. You might also have an issue with them about solar panels. However you can mount them in your yard they do not have to be on the roof as long as they are in the sun. I have an ornamental windmill that is about 10ft tall and I am amazed at the wind it catches. I have been thinking to try and harness some of that power to move water from a rain catchments system to where needed in the yard!
There are ways to use the energy of the wind and sun in our everyday lives we just need to get out of the rut of turning on the switch and look for alternatives. I guess you could wait for the energy companies to do it for you, but then how much will the cost increase!