Solar power is starting to become mainstream. The “green” movement has taken hold and we are beginning to see its accomplishments. Solar panels are used commercially, industrially, and residentially. Unfortunately, it is still quite expensive to install and it can take a while to see the savings, though be sure they are there.

If you would like to show your support for the green movement but aren’t fond of the spending required to make your house green all at once, consider do-it-yourself solar projects for use in your home. You can slowly make your house “greener” and get a new hobby at the same time. You can purchase solar kits and cheap panels to install yourself. Maybe you’d like a solar water heater or just enough electricity from solar energy to power your computer and other electronics. Look around online to find fun projects to help the green movement and make a difference starting in your own home.

Tidal power is a very intriguing form of alternative energy. Our oceans could generate a large amount of power for us, if we put the right systems in place. The most commonly known system for harnessing tidal power is the tidal barrage. It is very expensive and large, but supplies equally large amounts of power. However, tidal barrages aren’t the only way to make use of the ocean’s ability to generate power.

Offshore turbines are much cheaper method of generating power by making use of the tides. They look very similar to wind farms except that they are located underwater. They work similarly too, only the turbines are moved by water currents rather than wind. The turbines are connected to a generator and electricity is produced.

Tidal power is certainly an alternative power source to consider. Advances like offshore turbines make it a more realistic option to put in place in the near future.

In 2009, wind power sources provided 1.9 percent of the United States’ power production. While this may seem like a new fangled technology it’s actually one of the oldest forms of energy in existence dating back as far as 5,000 B.C. sailing ships.
Wind power is actually a form of solar power. Heat causes the wind by producing varying levels of heat in different areas and high pressure air always moves towards low air pressure areas. While solar panel cells take in the heat and rays directly, the byproduct of the heat on the earth causes the movement of air that is translated into power from the wind turbines.
From 2000 to 20006 wind power production has actually increased four times over. This is a great trend considering that one Megawatt of wind energy actually produces 2,600 tons of Carbon Dioxide fewer than conventional power sources.
Texas has jumped on the ball more than anyone, installing more wind generators than any other state in the U.S. which includes 37 other competing states.