Can you set me up for $10,000?
The answer is an unequivocal "that depends".
Mainly, it depends on your expectations, your current situation, and your investment. Some items which impact the cost of the system include current components which you already own, your willingness to explore custom-made alternatives which may be less esthetically pleasing than off-the-shelf components, the degree to which you want the system to work without assistance (for example, the angle of solar panels may require adjustment twice daily: you can do this by hand for free, or purchase trackers at a non-negligible cost) and so on.
For example, a cottager whose electrical needs are currently being met by his noisy 4000 watt generator may wish to significantly decrease his use of the generator during cottaging weekends. There is a high probability that this need could be met with an investment of $10,000 or significantly less, depending on the factors described above.
Conversely, a home-owner who describes himself as "completely unwilling to live without all the modern conveniences, including air conditioning" is extremely unlikely to be satisfied with a $10,000 solution.
When we meet with you, we can examine your current situation and your requirements. Through the judicious use of conservation and a careful examination of your needs and options, we can price out a solution you can live with.
I'm no tree-hugger - is this technology for me?
Alternative energy has gone mainstream in the last decade - it isn't just for environmental enthusiasts any more!
You don't need to be an environmentalist to reap the benefits from this technology. This technology can stand on its own.
Anyone who has had to run a generator for several hours knows that these devices are noisy, smelly and burn a lot of gas. If you can decrease their usage, obviously you will enjoy the benefits: less noise, less smell, less gas to buy and so on. The fact that the environment will be benefitted by the ensuing decrease in emissions and your lower use of non-renewable fossil fuels may just be a happy bonus to you. And that's okay.
Helping the environment is nice, but I still want to live like a civilized person. Can I do that with alternative energy?
Alternative energy is energy, and it can be made as seamless as the wall plugs you currently use in your home.
Do you know whether the electricity you use is from a nuclear power plant or a hydro-electric dam? Does it matter? You have a steady stream of 110 volt electricity coming out of the wall socket; it doesn't matter whether it is utility-tied or coming from the solar panel in your backyard.
Electricity generated by a solar panel, a windmill or a microhydro turbine is Direct Current (DC). In other words, it is the same kind of electricity as that stored in the batteries that power your television's remote control. You can choose to use the electricity in this form - many appliances are available in DC, as well as lights and other conveniences. Or we can help you select an inverter which will turn the DC electricity into AC. Alternating Current ("AC") is what your wall sockets provide and you can then use the electricity you generated just as you use the utility's hydro.
Surely everyone can get hydroelectricity these days. Why would a person who has access to utility power pay for this stuff?
There are perhaps as many reasons as there are people who do it, and that's saying something.
Some people take their responsibility towards the environment very seriously. They want to do everything they can reasonably afford to do their share towards stopping this downward spiral the planet is on. Wind, sun and water are renewable energies and they are free. The wind blows, the sun shines, the stream flows whether you use it as an energy source or not. So why not make use of it? The windmill, the solar panel and the microhydro turbine do not negatively affect either the elements, the environment or your neighbours - it's a winning situation.
Some people think it's pretty cool. They live in an area which is suited either to wind, solar or microhydro, they see this energy basically being "wasted" since it is not being put to use, and they figure it would make a pretty neat project. Maybe they get their kids involved, make it a family science project. Sometimes they start small and let the project grow over time and it becomes a hobby - a hobby which, whether it matters to them or not, ends up being good for the environment.
Some people remember all too clearly the Ottawa Ice Storm of 1998 and the Eastern Seabord power outage in August 2003. The next time the power goes out for an extended period, they want to be ready for it.
The Government is offering some rebates for specific energy-saving installations. Some people are taking advantage of these offers to help the environment with the Government footing part of the bill.
And finally, some people do NOT have access to hydroelectricity. If your home or cottage is a couple of kilometers away from the nearest utility post, it may be so expensive to have hydro brought to you that it may as well not be possible at all. While living without electricity is still an option even in this day and age, most people find that some electricity is a requirement of modern life. Often, these people find that while a generator is useful in case of an emergency, it is really too disruptive to run it as a primary power source. Alternative energy then becomes not only a good environmental choice, but also a cost-effective choice.
Le Boisé Alternatives (www.leboise.com)
(613) 282 - VOLT (613) 282-8658 Email: DJ@leboise.com
