With the suffering economy, we are all looking for ways to cut costs.  Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy are an affordable way to get ahead of the game.  Utilizing solar and wind energy is becoming more practical for the every-day homeowner and/or business-owner.  Though the up-front costs can be greater, the long-term savings are a reality.  The stimulus package has also made renewable energy more economical by offering tax credits. 

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)

DSIRE provides information on state, local, utility and federal incentives for promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.   http://www.dsireusa.org/

Home Energy Yardstick Can Help Lower Energy Costs

If you’re curious about improving the energy costs of your home or business, we recommend that you check out the Energy Star Web site.  You can utilize their Home Energy Yardstick to see how your energy costs compare with others across the country.  It also gives energy saving tips and recommendations.  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=HOME_ENERGY_YARDSTICK.showGetStarted

Solar Energy Links:

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has a solar calculator that will estimate the cost of a system, the amount of carbon emissions you could save and also estimate the possible long-term savings based on your zip code, local utility company and monthly utility bill.  Their website www.FindSolar.com also provides useful information on the design and installation of a system, interactive solar maps and educational resources.

The website www.RoofRay.com provides a solar estimate based on your unique conditions.  It utilizes your roof area, orientation and pitch in combination with your monthly utility bill to calculate your potential savings.  This site also contains educational resources.

The website www.pvwatts.org contains performance calculators that utilize meteorological data.  They also provide information about the angle and orientation of the systems and many useful links related to solar energy.

Wind Energy Links:

The Wind Powering America website provides useful information on wind energy. www.windpoweringamerica.gov/index.asp

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website provides wind energy specific to Pennsylvania.  http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/astate_template.asp?stateab=pa

The American Wind Energy Association’s website (www.awea.org) has useful information on the design and installation of wind turbines.  Go to http://www.awea.org/faq/rsdntqa.html for Wind Energy FAQ’s.

For an initial wind assessment, visit the website http://firstlook.3tier.com.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has valuable educational information on wind energy and its applications.  http://www.nrel.gov/learning/fr_wind.html

Purdue University provides a Small Wind Economic Model which is a spreadsheet tool to help you decide if a small wind electric system is economical.  This site also has the Wind Navigator which provides wind speed data.  http://www.extension.purdue.edu/renewable-energy/wind-energy.shtml