When you think about alternative energy, how do you approach the decision? Do you take an Ed Begley, Jr. approach rooted exclusively in the environmental benefits? Or, is your approach more akin to someone like Warren Buffet who weighs the pros and cons from an investor’s point of view?

Until recently, the early adopters of clean energy systems where highly motivated by the positive impact these systems have on the environment. As a result, they were often willing to pay a premium to achieve these benefits. But, as more systems were installed, costs came down to the point where today, a new trend is emerging. Now, new consumers are realizing that these systems can deliver significant economic benefits. Continue reading →

When you’re not there, your vacation home shouldn’t be on vacation. It should be working for you.

By installing a solar or wind power system, you can turn your vacation home into a profit center. Most vacation homeowners don’t consider installing clean energy systems because they figure their energy consumption isn’t big enough to warrant the expense. They only use the house a few months out of the year; the bills aren’t that high, etc. But this is precisely why vacation homeowners SHOULD install a solar or wind power system. When you’re not there, your home can still be producing energy, which can be sold back to the grid. This low use, high production equation means that vacation homeowners have a way to generate income from their property. They’re still saving money on their energy bills, but they’re also generating revenues the entire time they are not on vacation. One caveat, this option is available to vacation home owners in the 43 states that allow net metering [1] – i.e., allow you to sell extra electricity produced back to the grid.

Renewable and clean energy systems deliver incredibly attractive returns on investments. Annual returns of solar and wind power systems can range from 5%-30%, depending on your location, property characteristics and availability of incentives and rebates. With these kinds of financial results, imagine the vacation homes you’ll be able to afford!

[1](States that DO NOT allow net metering: AL, MI, ID, SD, SC, TN, TX)

If you’re looking for a hot new restaurant to try, where do you look? You could check the yellow pages or maybe look through local newspaper ads, but you probably won’t. A far more likely scenario is that you will ask your friends or neighbors for a recommendation. Why? Because, aside from a sincere desire to see you happy, your friends and neighbors don’t have any vested interest in which restaurant you choose. As people who know you and know what you are looking for, they serve as a credible source of information. They are people who are willing to share their own thoughts, experiences and expertise to help you to make your own decision. Continue reading →