Live Off the Grid, Save Money, and Be Independent of the Power Company

Solar power and wind power are familiar to millions throughout the world as the primary sources of sustainable energy. For decades we’ve all seen the advantages of capturing and using solar energy in everything from tiny photovoltaic cells on calculators to the vast corporate utilities’ solar arrays. Wind energy has been used for centuries to power everything from sailing ships to the early grist mills that once dotted Holland and other European countries.

Recent advances in tech, design and materials have given us the huge wind turbines we now see popping up on the hills and plains around the world. Governments and mega-corporations are now jumping into renewable energy development in ways not dreamed of just twenty years ago. Does this mean we will all benefit from cheap energy as fossil fuel, nuclear and hydro power give way to green energy? No! That won’t happen in this lifetime nor anytime.

Many billions in capital investment is required for personnel, materials, construction, and infrastructure to green up the world’s power grid. Once the utilities have recovered their huge initial outlay they aren’t suddenly going to lower their rates. When we plug our appliances, hybrid cars, tools, and toys into the new green grid we will pay just as dearly for electricity as we do now and probably much more. But hold on, there’s a sweet upside to green energy tech for all of us workaday common folks so don’t get off the bus to Greenville just yet!

That upside is based on one very special principle. Simply put, the governments and power companies don’t own the sun and they don’t own the wind. Anyone with the desire can tap into these natural resources independent of the grid by installing their own solar and wind power generators. Energy systems scaled to single home use are readily available from commercial contractors, home improvement stores and expertly written do-it-yourself solar panel and wind turbine plans and guides.

While the cost of hiring a contractor to install retail solar or wind power generators may be prohibitive to many, the do-it-yourself option is very affordable and doable by anyone who can read and use a few basic tools. Certainly there are challenges to DIY energy projects but by using a well produced text and video guide you’ll easily overcome these. There are several excellent guides available on the web for less than $50 that provide complete solutions to building and installing your own solar and wind power systems. If you choose to shop for a guide, then be sure you select one that provides step-by-step written and video plans and that offers 24/7 consumer support.

Off grid living with your own solar, wind or both systems in place can mean partial or complete independence from power bills and the forever recurring rate hikes. Whether you pay less each month or never pay again depends only on how extensive you want to make your green energy project. Over time you can easily save thousands by going off grid, and if you build and install your own renewable energy supply you’ll save several thousand dollars over commercial installations.

Faine Morrison is a DIY home improvement enthusiast strongly bent towards saving money and going green when and wherever possible. If you enjoyed reading this article please take a moment to post a comment and twit this. And, if you share the author’s penchant for DIY home improvement and sustainable energy you’ll benefit from checking out DIY Solar Panels, one of the do-it-yourself guides he recommends. Contact Author.

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