Homegrown Power

As you drive by the turning blades of a wind farm, or spot solar panels on a building, you probably wonder, “Could I do that at home?”

First, how can I make my home more energy efficient?
Before choosing a small renewable system for your home, you should consider reducing your energy consumption by making your home or business more energy efficient. Reducing your energy consumption will significantly lower your utility bills and will reduce the size of the home-based renewable energy system you need.

Is renewable energy practical for me?
A small wind energy system can provide you with a practical and economical source of electricity if:

• Your property has a good wind resource
• Your home or business is located on at least one acre of land in a rural area
• Your local zoning codes or covenants allow wind turbines
• Your average electricity bills are $150 per month or more
• Your property is in a remote location without easy access to utility lines
• You are comfortable with long-term investments

Some of the same types of questions apply to other small renewable energy systems. Here are some resources that can help you learn more about generating your own power:

Alliant Energy’s guide to Homegrown Power [PDF]

For more information on Customer Owned Generation

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Small Wind Electric Systems: A Consumer’s Guide [PDF]

Before investing in renewable energy it is wise to investigate your options. Call Alliant Energy's hotline at 1-800-972-5325 for:

• More information on technologies, application and benefits.
• References to other expert sources of distributed generation and renewable energy information.
• Details on how to interconnect with the electric grid.

More online resources:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Iowa Energy Center
Minnesota Renewable Energy Association
Wisconsin's Focus on Energy
Nervous about the upfront costs? Support renewable energy for as little as a few dollars a month with Second Nature!