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Dec
29

Q&A: What alternatives are there to solar power?

Question by Oshay Henderson: What alternatives are there to solar power?
What alternatives are there to solar power? I was going to get solar panels for my house in Canada, but Canada might not be the best source of solar power, so how else could I obtain free electricity?

Best answer:

Answer by Benji
hydro power is popular in canada. but you still have to pay for it.
geothermal energy is another alternative, but its not popular in canada yet.

Give your answer to this question below!

4 comments

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  1. rus0sell says:

    Getting “free electricity” from technologies such as solar panels or wind turbines can take years for the savings to overcome the initial start-up costs, let alone maintenance and repair.

    You can however stop wasting energy throughout your house with low costs improvements that may save more money than a solar panel ever would. Make sure your house is well insulated, including your windows and doors. These days most quality doors, windows, and insulation have R-values; the higher the R-value the better. Even your heating/cooling ducts should be well insulated. Its like putting hot coffee in a paper cup versus a thermos: the better the insulation, the less energy you’ll lose.

    Another tip would be to make sure you an up to date furnace and household appliances. The energy star labels are key. Get low wattage light bulbs, turn off (and unplug) electronics when not in use, little things. They all add up in the end.

  2. mintie_boy says:

    You will also find that most the time solar power isn’t “free”. That is most the time the electricity generated on your house is fed back into the power grid. You still use normal electricity, however you now put some electricity back into the system (it doesn’t go directly to your house, most the time anyway).

    Solar passive designs, and high energy efficiency ratings for your house are the best options to reduce costs. Solar panels can offset electricity bills (however generally work best if you are not home a lot during the day, and that your general electricity use is low especially during peak periods). Solar heat pumps can act as boosters for gas hot water systems to help reduce costs.

    Also as suggested geothermal energy can be used for heating and cooling. Generally a very cheap practice however a large installation cost is involved. Won’t supply electricity to your house either most the time, generally only for heating and cooling.

  3. Alex says:

    Hydro-power, wind power, solar power,

    ANSWER MY QUESTION OF A WIND TURBINE HERE!
    answer my question here please:
    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111212223318AAH1rrG

  4. Sandy says:

    Check out articles on microhydroelectricity and solar hotwater. http://homepower.com/home/

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