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Due to the rising costs of electricity now, solar and wind power systems are becoming more popular. A large amount of our earnings these days goes towards our electricity bills and this is why alot more people are choosing to use solar or wind power to power their homes.  Solar and Wind Power is very cost efficient and also generally easy to maintain, and even better environmentally friendly.

Imagine if you could construct your very own solar energy system or wind turbine to generate power to your home, this is not as hard as you might envisage it to be.

Lots of homes are using solar and wind power to save huge amounts of money off their electricity bills.  Global warming is also an issue for our future, choosing renewable sources of energy is going to have a way more positive effect on our environment.

If you were to install a solar panel or a wind generator and you produced more power than you need, which is possible, not only will you save on your electricity bill but there is a extremely good chance that you could sell the surplus energy to your local utility and earn additional money.

Both methods can be used to produce power, depending on your location and finances.  Obviously if you are residing where the wind is blowing most of the time then the best option for your home would be to install a wind generator, same goes with solar panels, if you are living where the sun is shining the majority of the year then choosing solar power is your best option.

If a solar energy method is your choice, positioning the solar panels at a 45 degree angle to the ground is recommended, For the greatest outcome also face half east and half west. The early morning sunrise will capture the rays of the sun and ofcourse the afternoon sunset will capture the west facing solar panels.

The speed of the wind is also greater the further from the ground a wind turbine is, so being positioned high will also work best too.  A windmill obviously requires wind to function, it also acts as the fuel, this system can produce considerable amounts of electricity.

Solar panels and windmills can be purchased, but this can be very costly.  Choosing to install them yourself can save you a fortune.  There are some great diy solar and wind power guides out there with fantastic step by step manuals that will illustrate to you how to construct either of these systems.

Solar energy comes from the sun. A biology class will tell you that in addition to affecting climate and weather, sunlight provides the energy that sustains most life on earth. It also can be harnessed to provide heating, lighting and electricity. Solar power has become a hot topic lately, but this technology is nothing new – Native Americans, people in China and even the early Greeks have historically turned their buildings to the sun for heat.

These early architects were using what is known as passive solar energy. This technique makes the best use of regular building materials to trap heat with no additional mechanical equipment used. Floors, windows and roofs play a role in attracting (or deflecting) the sun’s rays.

There are a number of ways to take advantage of solar radiation, starting with the house’s placement. Having the house face the equator (we’ll assume we’re in the Northern Hemisphere, thus the house should face south) means that it gets the day’s sunlight. Window orientation is also important – for optimal efficiency, most windows should point within 30 degrees of due south. Maintaining a small percentage of north facing windows will ensure that your home is comfortable year round (and not cooking in the summer).

Rock or stone tile floors and brick walls will absorb the solar radiation and continue to give off heat after the sun is gone. While common windows allow heat to escape, special windows with low-e coating, multiple panes, inert gas fill, and/or insulated frames can reduce heat loss 50 to 75 per cent. By sealing your building envelope and insulating well, you will ensure that the heat stays in the house. It can then be distributed through the house using a regular ceiling fan.

Direct sunlight is not the only important light to think of when considering energy use. By using overall daylight to light a space you can cut down the need for electrical lighting and the heat that’s created by it. Artificial lighting has only been the main source of illumination since the 20th century. And using natural light may have added benefits for your physical and mental health. In addition to windows, daylighting makes use of skylights, light pipes (also known as light tubes), atriums, and light shelves to illuminate the interior. This is best considered when building, but with a few small renos your house can be much brighter, naturally!

Passive cooling is another way to cut your bills and become more energy efficient. This is especially useful in warmer climates, where air conditioning can be a major power consumer. Passive cooling refers to using things for shading, to absorb the heat, and goes hand in hand with passive solar energy. It can be accomplished using exterior landscaping choices – trees and other vegetation – or interior/exterior building options, such as shades, blinds or special glazing on windows.

Whether you are building a new home, looking at doing some renovations or just want to cut your energy bill, passive solar energy and cooling techniques are an easy way to incorporated green ideas into your home. With the rising interest in environmental issues, they make an excellent selling feature and they’ll save you money.