Alternative Electrical Power for Single-Family Dwellings

Solar Electric

• One of the most talked-about and widely available forms of alternative energy is solar. For use in a single-family home, the site must have available southern exposure (northern exposure in the southern hemisphere) that is not shaded by obstructions, such as trees or buildings, and sufficient area available for the panels. Typically, solar panels are installed on a roof surface, but they can also be mounted on a wall or pole separate from the building structure.

Wind Power

• A small wind-power system can provide enough energy for a single-family home if the right conditions exist. The area must have adequate wind speeds to make wind power practical. Wind turbines also take up space, so the residential lot must be large enough to accommodate one. Additionally, some locations have laws prohibiting the tall towers required for wind turbines. Micro-wind turbines are available for mounting on roofs, but these are not sufficient for an entire household's electric load.

Microhydropower

• Residential properties that have moving water, such as a stream, may find that microhydropower is an option. As in large-scale hydropower, microhydropower uses water to spin a turbine to generate electricity. If the water source has enough volume and vertical distance, a microhydropower generator is capable of supplying enough electrical energy to power a residence. In addition to access to moving water, appropriate water rights and permits are necessary before installing a microhydropower generator.

Fuel Cells

• Fuels cells offer another alternative power source, but this power is renewable only if the fuel used is renewable. Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, and pure water is the only byproduct. Oxygen is easily sourced from the air, but hydrogen either comes from fossil fuels or is extracted from water using electricity. Residential fuel cells provide a clean and efficient method of producing alternative power, even if it is not renewable.