Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Ways To Generate Your Own Electricity

By Celia Hall


With the rising prices of utilities, many homeowners want to find ways to minimize energy consumption and lower the expenses for their electricity bill. There are many ways to do this but as an alternative, you can also find ways to generate your own electricity. The following are some ways on how you can create a supply.

New technologies have made it possible to harness natural sources not only to provide energy but also to decrease carbon footprint. You can now use the sun, the rivers, and even the wind as sources of power. Generators are also another option for those who want a backup system.

If you want to harness the energy of the sun, look into buying solar panels. There are a lot of retailers who can provide a system that can supply what you need. The main consideration for a solar system would be the amount of exposure the panels would be getting to sunlight so that they can produce a specific number of watts. These panels can be stationary but they can also be made movable.

Since sunlight is not always present, these systems are usually installed with batteries. The energy is stored in these batteries during the day so that there will be a power source once the night comes. An inverter is typically used in order to convert the energy. The power generated will depend on how many panels there are and the kind of batteries that are being used.

Getting wind turbines is another alternative. This can be made with inexpensive materials but you will have to do research and have a working technical background. Since wind is the source of energy, they should be placed high up where the winds are bound to be stronger. Open areas usually work the best.

If you have a source of water, like a stream for instance, with a strong flow and varying elevation along its path, a hydro system may be feasible. The elevation is needed to turn the turbines that are positioned at a lower point. Since water flows constantly, this can be a reliable source of power. This is cheaper compared to wind turbines and solar panels.

Since not all of these sources are consistent, look into getting a generator for your home. You will need to consider what kind of fuel the generator will run on as this can affect the efficiency. You could use gasoline, diesel, and so on. The cost of running it will be determined by the price of the fuel.

Generators are designed for a variety of uses. Before you go out and buy one, make sure that it is one you can use on a daily basis. This particular item can be costly so compare the models before deciding what to buy. For the installation, hire an electrician who will know how to install it so that it is not in violation of any regulation.

Consider combining these systems to generate your own electricity. Where one source is not enough, a combination should be able to provide you more power, enough for daily consumption. There are many vendors for these products so it should not be hard to find one powerful and affordable enough. Weigh your options carefully before investing in any of these systems.




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