Are there grants for alternative energy household sources (i.e. solar panels)?

Question

Our household electricity is going up 25%. Where we use about half the kilowatt hours than we did last year, we're still paying about the same each bill, so I was trying to think of alternative energy sources (not gas). However, someone told me solar panels were REALLY expensive, and so was a small windmill (although I don't think I could get a permit for a windmill, cause we have neighbors fairly close by). So, do you know of any alternative (viable) energy sources? Do you know of any grants to help defray the costs involved with purchasing and installation?

I appreciate ANY of your good ideas or even advice. We've done everything I can think of to bring our kilowatt hours down (and have), but with the dramatic raise of electricity, there HAS to be some viable alternatives....

What would YOU do, or what have YOU done??

Answer 1

Yes, you can get grants to set up wind power. Some power companies will also give you funding to set up wind power, if you are willing to make a large enough setup to power your own house, and also are willing to put energy back into the electrical grid.

Answer 2

Wind and photovoltaic solar are two popular atlernative energy sources.  Neither is cost-effective unless subsidized.  However, subsidies in the form of tax credits are available in a number of locations, which may make an installation cost-effective for you -- although not for society at large.

Answer 3

First of all buy a Kill-a-watt and find out what's eating all your power. Then google alternative energy, solar power is very expensive and not very good unless you live in just the right place. It's easy to make your own wind generator using junk and there are lots of instructions on-line. I recommend making your own because a $1200 wind turbine that only makes 300w takes an awful long time to pay itself off. You can make the same thing using a 3 used car alternators some pvc pipe an inverter and a little paint so it looks good for about $100

You can also look at converting your home to a commercial package in some areas you get a break on night time electricity usage which you can then store in batteries.

There is a HUGE community on-line of people making their own power and living with less power, google around and you should find lots.