Many people still see solar power as an expensive alternative to something as cheap as electricity. What most home owners don’t know is that not only has the price of solar panels dropped drastically over the last few years, but they have also gotten much smaller and more efficient as well.

The last time I did some research (and it was a while back), solar panels ran up to five digits. Since we were a young family and looking at solar to SAVE money, we did not thing this was the wise path to take.

An even better incentive than the price is the transformation in the panels. I recently went to a beautifully landscaped house that had two HUGE white poles sticking up in the middle of the yard. “Those are for the solar panels when we can afford to get some.” Now they are even making solar panels that are built right into the roof tiles, solar panels that are flexible (and aren’t going to break) and solar panels that are inflatable (although these are more for usage in the woods than in the home).

The best comparison that I can think of is satellite dishes. Just 15 years ago, the dishes were the size of a compact car and cost about the same. Today you get a dish free with your service and most people won’t even notice if you have one on your house. As the solar technology continues to improve and the prices continue to come down it is likely that more homes will turn to solar power.

Solar power can be a great alternative for any business, but those in Oregon can really benefit. If you have an existing business and you switch over to solar energy, you can set the solar system up for almost no costs (after you receive rebates and tax benefits).

Setting up solar power is not cheap. It could initially cost a business around $150,000 to set up a small and simple system. For business with some capital to invest back into the company, this could be a great choice. There are plenty of incentives offered in the Oregon area that help bring the final cost down to almost zero.

Unfortunately, not all states are so generous. The federal government is also decreasing tax incentives that it offers to citizens to go green. It is always a good idea to check out your local incentives and to talk with your accountant BEFORE you count on any rebates or deductions.

Even if you aren’t able to receive rebates or other incentives, going solar can be incentive enough of its own. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year if you go green. Some of the electric companies even offer payment for any power you generate that comes back into the general system so that you could potentially make money.

Switching your business is not just good for the environment - it’s great for the bottom line as well.

Alternative energy is becoming more popular with the mainstream consumer. Even the resent presidential debates have been bringing to light the importance of changing the way we supply energy in this country. Fueled by the increased interest (pun intended), many companies are expanding their research into commercially viable products.

One of the directions companies, like SkyFuel, are aiming is the development of solar powered plants. Projects like these will make clean fuel a reality for more people in close quarters. Traditionally, the rural population has been more likely to grasp the technology around alternative energies.

The Department of Energy is helping to spur on innovation through its grants for research and development. The government seems eager to find ways to reduce American dependence on foreign energy sources and at the same time quiet the clamoring of green organizations that feel America is responsible for the depletion of the ecosystem.

As the interest in alternative fuels continues to find a home in the mainstream consumer, the options will also expand. The building of green power plants is surely to bring the industry to the forefront of the minds that don’t already have it there. With the government willing to back companies financially, the technology is sure to keep up with demand.

Milk is costing my family almost twice what gas costs us.  With growing boys, it takes almost as many gallons to get us through the week.   I heard that one of the reasons is because the corn to feed the cows is being used instead for ethanol production.  But the new “green” fuel could be doing more harm than just that to my pocketbook.

Ethanol seems like a great solution to fuel needs.  After all, it can be grown in what ever amounts needed.  But many people forget that it takes fossil fuels to generate the ethanol.  This means that while the product itself is a carbon neutral fuel, its production is not.

There is also concern that existing forests will be cut in order to grow the corn needed for the production of ethanol.  It is the destruction of these forests that is the leading cause of green house gases.  The cost of moving to a regenerative fuel is just too much if this is the path we are going to go down.

Scientists have not quit searching for better fuels.  We shouldn’t be focused on something with all the potential problems that ethanol has when the real answer could be right under our noses.

My husband has been fascinated with the concept of a self-sustaining home since we went to an open house about eight or nine years.  With Y2K looming ahead, everyone was looking for a way to survive if the worst happened.  It didn’t, but my husband was hooked.  The biggest sticking point we have is the extreme costs of using alternative powers.

The green industry has been working long and hard to find ways to bring down the costs and to improve the products at the same time.  There are now solar panels available that won’t cost more than the house you can attach them too.  Mini solar powered accessories are showing up everywhere - even in discounts stores and bulk shopping sites.

Our second sticking point for going solar is that we live under some HUGE trees.  It isn’t the shade, as much as the occasional falling limbs, which have me concerned.  Before I spend a chunk of savings on buying and installing solar panels, I want them to be nearly indestructible.

There is still wind and water.  Every few months, my husband starts plotting about how we could harness the power of the running water from the streams and creeks around our property.  A good breeze will get him off on his windmill tangent. 

I like the idea of having an alternative power source, even if it is just an emergency back up.  Until it becomes more readily available (and more designed for a modest checkbook), I’m afraid my Don Quixote will have to wait.

The green in the military is more than just the uniforms.  The organization whose main goal is to seek and destroy is using eco-friendly technology to power its ability to do the dirty work.  The idea of an environmentally friendly army seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.

It actually makes sense that the military would use solar power, bio fuels, and hybrid vehicles.  Most of the time, there aren’t outlets that the military can just plug into.  It has to have a way to make its own power because being in the middle of no where is not conducive to “plugging in.”

The Army has been especially dedicated at developing tents that will power themselves.  Covered with thin amorphous silicon technology, these tents are like tiny power stations.  It these tents prove to be as tough as they are unique then they could give the Army a distinct advantage.

It is important that the military look at self-sustaining ways to deploy.  The last times that they have been in the field required the building of cities before forces could be moved in.  How much easier it would be if the forces had all the necessities neatly built in to their regulation equipment.

My husband and I have always wanted to be self sustaining and just a bit green in our home.  Not because we are afraid of the government or because we are hiding from society, but mostly because we thought it would save us money in the long run. 

The other day, I saw a story on one of the home improvement channels (just can’t remember which one right now) and it ran again today so my husband had a chance to see it.  They showed “earthship” homes and I immediately fell in love with the concept.  My husband was more focused on the possible costs involved, but that’s the pessimist in him coming though.

Living green doesn’t have to mean giving up modern conveniences.  These homes had microwaves, refrigerators, and running water.  The great thing about them is that they are self sustaining.  Y2K wouldn’t have even caused these homeowners to break a sweat.  Inside the homes, they can grow food.  Outside the home, the house itself gathers water and energy for the daily tasks inside.

My only hold up is the look.  If they can figure out a way to get the self sustaining elements into an 1800’s Victorian then I will be the first to sign up.  Fortunately for me (and others who aren’t too keen on living in a house that will definitely draw stares) there are alternatives available. 

Living green doesn’t have to be obvious or ugly anymore.  Green architecture is developing a flare for style AND conservation.  My day may not be as far away as it once seemed.

You could get arrested if you try to build a windmill on your property.

It seems that every one wants to go green, but nobody wants the alternative energy sources in their own back yard.  There have been several attempts to develop wind mill fields that would be able to supply whole communities with power.  The mere idea of the unsightly monstrosities covering the landscape outweighs the environmental impact potential, and a fire storm of protests quickly destroys the hope of development.

It may be hip to be green, but it’s not so cool if it starts to affect your property values.  The rich and famous in and around Cape Cod were quick to bring up the dangers of wind turbines when a development threatened their own ocean views.

Now the government wants to get involved and make it illegal to produce clean, green electricity from wind turbines.  The legislation is being touted as an “animal protection” bill because migratory birds can be killed by the wind turbines (Never mind the oil spills, pollutions, or global warming).

Personally, I don’t see what the fuss is all about.  Some countries have made an entire tourist industry off of windmills.  Maybe the engineers need to spend a little time making something that is not only energy efficient, but attractive as well.