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Stepping up the investment ladder a rung or two – more like 6 or 7 - is to add a renewable energy source to your home. Most likely this would be in the form of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels placed on your roof. The energy from these panels would be used to power your home and in some locations any excess electricity is sold back to the utility. Programs for solar panels change from county to county and city to city, so look for programs like these in your area. Programs like Berkeley FIRST in Berkeley, CA and Boulder County Colorado's Climate Smart provide financing for solar panel installations are provided to home owners and are repaid through an increase on the property taxes. The electricity savings should more than offset this higher tax and the obligation stays with the home not the owner. Funding this through municipal bonds seems to be a win-win-win for all of us. |
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You can help increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources in several ways. The first is to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from your local utility or a consolidator, such as Renewable Energy Choice. Renewable Energy Credits are created whenever electricity is generated by an approved renewable energy source. Utilities in states with Renewable Portfolio Standards must submit to the state the necessary number of Renewable Energy Certificates to meet their obligation. They are able to sell any RECs in excess of this obligation and by purchasing them, you are helping to create additional clean renewable energy. And with any REC you own, you have the right to claim your use of that amount of renewable energy. Many businesses and individuals alike are choosing to support the growth of renewable energy in this way. To learn more, check you your local utilities website or one of these sites. (Listing is not an endorsement): US Dept. of Energy - Green Power Network Green-e Renewable Energy Choice Choose Renewables |
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Renew
