Green Energy Puts Green in Homeowner Wallets

In this Reuters article a homeowner purchases a windmill and estimates his return on investment (ROI) will happen in about seven years. Seven years. And while he waits for seven years to go by he is paying zero dollars for his electricity. And sometimes he even sells power back to the grid and makes some money. Not bad eh?

But beyond that is the larger trend that the cost of residential renewable energy technology is dropping quickly whether due to cheap hardware from Asian markets, government subsidies, or utility incentives. Once the initial capital expenditures occur for renewable energy, the fuel is free for the foreseeable future. Free fuel is the most exciting prospect to me. Can you imagine a world where every house, business, and community (see solar gardens) is generating clean power from the sun and wind? I know its blasphemous to some, but like it or not we are headed that way.

First things first - get an energy audit for your building. It is important to make your structure as efficient as possible before adding your own renewable power. An energy audit and subsequent weatherization / retrofits are a good way to put more greenbacks in your pocket, whether you want renewable power or not.