Alternative energies: So, if you had some extra assets lying around,

[supernova]

what alternative energies would you be investing in and why?

This idea intrigues me, but I honestly don't know that much about it. I'm thinking in terms of setting up

1) biofueling station,

2) solar energy: some way to produce enough energy for myself and also sell back to the power company.

3) Wind turbine farm

And I don't know where to go to find more info on the producer side either. So, where would I go? And what would you consider a worthwhile idea in this vein?

[Joe Fields]

1. I would have a huge hemp farm, for biofuel production, and I would

become vertically integrated.

[supernova]

3. What do you mean

"vertically integrated?" I know what it means generally, but what's your definition here?

[Joe Fields]

10. I would grow it, refine it, and market it to consumers.

[Frustratedlady]

2. Wind turbine farms makes so much sense.

I would invest in those in a heartbeat.

[supernova]

4. Yes, they do. :D

It's such an elegantly simple idea.

I'm trying to think of ways I can use some currently fallow ground that I have.

[Radical Activist]

15. second

Wind is more efficient than solar when placed in the right location. Biofuels are pretty questionable in terms of helping the environment.

I'd say invest in solar only if you live in an area where you have a lot more sun than wind.

[seemunkee]

5. Solar water heating

I put up a panel to heat my pool, I'll be putting up another one before the end of the summer to extend the season a little more. In the spring I'll put up some PV panels to run the pump.

[supernova]

7. That's cool

You have enough sunny days to make it work?

[seemunkee]

16. Yes in the spring, we shall see in the fall

We have a heat pump type heater also and hopefully this will keep it from having to work too much. Plus we bought a solar cover last fall to retain the heat that goes into the pool. Our electric bills so far have stayed the same despite a 40% rate increase.

[Maureen54]

6. alternative energies

I would be interested in a wind turbine to produce enough energy for my home and maybe to sell the extra to neighbors. I would also be willing to install solar panels. We have about twenty acres of land and I would be willing to grow to hemp ( if it is ever allowed again) switch grass , whatever to produce alternative fuel. But I would need, as you said, extra assets lying around , and extra time as well.
Our heating oil company has announce that they will switch to bio-fuel this fall so we are delighted about that and hope it is a step forward.

[supernova]

8. That's cool about your oil co

:thumbsup:

Yes, I'm trying to think of things I can do to generate extra income. I have a fairly well paying career, but work is sporadic. I need another income, preferrably something that I can own.

edit: Welcome to DU Maureen54! :hi:

[Maureen54]

11. thanks supernova

for the welcome, I'm not new, just not a frequent poster, too busy working hard to pay the fuel bill :)

[seemunkee]

20. Is it a blend?

Be careful. I've read that biofuel can rot rubber fittings and can cause old deposits and sludge to break loose and clog your burner. Its recommendeed that you start off with a 10% biofuel mix and don't go over 30%. I need to check if our supplier is going to offer biofuel blends.

[blues90]

9. I would go with wind turbine and solar

since they don't produce poison as long as they are build out of materials that are safe . Hemp manufactured wind turbines would work I would think .

[supernova]

12. That would

mean a lot less work after I got it set up. something to consider.

[DinahMoeHum]

13. You might want to visit the site Sustainable Business

www.sustainablebusiness.com

Somewhere in the site there may be whatever you're looking for. Try looking around Business Connections or Resource Directory

For myself, I've used this site primarily for "progressive investing".

Good luck and good hunting.

:thumbsup:

[supernova]

14. Thanks for that!

Really good site! I'll be there for a while. :D

[buddhamama]

17. link:

http://newalternativesfund.com/ for investors.

there are others 'green' firms but this is the one i am most familiar with. :)

the green conference:
http://www.coopamerica.org/cabn/conference/

[cally]

18. I would invest in home/business retrofitting

for energy efficiency. There will be a huge market for this.

[datasuspect]

19. i'd invest in the energy generation scheme that didn't require the use of electricity

for cogeneration.

you need to burn fossil fuels to get electricity, for the most part.

[Chemical Bill]

21. Do you have a home...

with solar heat and solar/wind electricity? Do you eat locally grown, organic food? Does your transportation involve something other than petroleum? Figuring out your own needs would give you a feel for what is needed to supply others.

Bill