Mitigating Up Front Costs of Renewable Energy
Installing alternative energy technologies in your home can be really expensive in the short term, even though in the long run it can mean real savings. The up front investment is a significant obstacle to getting more people to adopt wind, solar and other green power sources. Fortunately, in the U.S. there are many government incentives in place to help. I found a great website that summarizes the various tax and other monetary incentives available in each of the fifty states, as well as from the Federal Government. Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE.org). DSIRE is a joint project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) that is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. It has information on the various incentives available in each of the fifty U.S. states, as well as from the Federal Government. The site is simple and easy to use, has comprehensive information, and is constantly updated. It has downloadable summary maps and tables too, and a nice list of links. If you're planning to install alternative energy in your home, or just curious what your state does as an incentive, this is a great place to get information.
There is another way to work around the high up front cost of alternative energy technologies. The REnU program from the Citizenre Corporation allows homeowners to simply lease solar panels on multi-year contracts with only a $500 deposit. You can read more about it and find links at these posts on Inhabitat and Grassroots Modern.
Alternative energy is a key element of the modern green home of the future. Up front costs and efficiencies continue to improve, increasing the viability of green power. With government incentives and innovative programs like REnU more and more of us can make green power a part of our lives. It is only a matter of time before enough of us do, and renewable energy reaches a critical mass and becomes the significant source of clean and sustainable energy that powers the prosperity of future generations.
