On-the-grid clean power

[unschooler]

Our family buys all of our electricity from our local power's company's "clean" (mainly wind) option power source.

Is this a viable long-term alternative, folks? It costs about 8% more than "regular" (mainly hydro) power. I find the idea of putting up solar panels and retrofitting the house for "off-the-grid" energy generation very intimidating. Is simply choosing the local utility company's "green" option an effective way to have electricity without the environmental damage, or is there something I'm missing?

[skids]

1. There are pros and cons...

It's certainly better to pay the clean energy premium than just buy at the regular rate, if you can afford it.

Basically on an ideological perspective it revolves around whether you feel that large companies owning centralized power is acceptable, or whether a more decentralized approach that leads to community empowerment is worth the effort. Obviously we will always have large power operations for cities, but individuals and towns can become self-sufficient.

Also it doesn't hurt to stay on top of the companies and make sure they really are buying clean energy, and doing so competently, rather than pocketing the money. Most programs are on the level but there have been incidents with some of the big ones.

Other than that, the more you know about home power generation, the less intimidated you will be by it, so don't hesitate to read up on it even if you are not seriously considering it -- the more people that know details about it the better -- maybe it's not right for you but at the right place and the right time having the right information could inspire a neighbor or friend who is in a position to take advantage of it.

[mccoyn]

2. Local generation is more effecient.

Some energy is lost in moving electricity over the grid. Think of local power generation as a form of conservation.