NATURAL ENERGY BLOG

The principles that underlie the alternative energy philosophy, principles like using benign sources such as solar panels and windmills for generating electricity, mean different things to different people. Some people consider the principle of a green lifestyle to be little more than a DIY hobby but otherpeople take them much more seriously and are trying to build them into their lives in a meaningful way. There?s a complete spectrum of approaches out there.

The spectrum runs all the way from not green to dark green. Let?s work through them:

1. You?re not green at all: For you, the green movement and the ideas around alternative energy don't really do anything for you. It?s not really for you. You put all your clothes in the dryer iresepective of the weather outside and you use your big thumping SUV at every opportunity. You?re happy to buy a takeaway burger and drop a whole pile of trash into the trashcan without thinking about what happens to it. You want to save money though, especially on utility bills.

2. You?re a light green: You have considered getting your electricity from an ecologically responsible supplier but have not got round to it yet. If the weather is dry then you dry your clothes outdoors. You put all your paper, card, metal and plastic in the recycling bin. However, you haven't made the switch from car to bike yet. If you could save money on electricity you?d definitely go for it.

3. You?re a mid-green: You?d like to have solar panels and wind turbines, but you?re worried about the cost of commercially available products. You recycle your packaging but still enjoy a burger with all its associated trash. You?ve sold your gas-guzzler and bought a small town car to save on gas.

4. You?re dark green: You?re strongly committed to the green movement. You holiday at home, you get rid of your dryer years ago, you use a wood burning stove and grow your own vegetables. You recycle your waste water for the garden. If you could afford it you?d have solar panels and windmills all over the lace and sell energy back to the grid. You got rid of your auto(s) and bought yourself a bicycle.

What's is the common thread that links them all? They all want to save money. Well, whether you are not green at all or light or dark green, there is some good news waiting for you. You can save a huge amount every year on electricity bills by installing a few DIY solar panels in your home. I don?t care what shade of green you are, you can save money, you can have the satisfaction of building something worthwhile, you can reduce your carbon footprint and maybe even make a few dollars too, into the bargain. A Do It Yourself Solar panel is one of the easiest ways to slash your electricity bills. So whether you?re a non-green or a dark green it makes sense to take a close look at DIY solar panels and windmills.

About the Author:

Discover how to construct your own solar panel and get free design instructions for a solar water heater at http://www.diyalternativeenergy.org