The most important factor in producing energy from a wind turbine is the availability of wind. Before you assume that your conditions are windy enough, you should find out what they actually are in terms of approximate average wind speeds (mph or m/s).In general, you want average wind speeds of around 12 mph (miles per hour), although in some places less wind resources are okay. For example, if you have high electricity rates, or substantial rebates or incentives available to you, it may make sense to place a wind turbine in a zone with an average wind speed of only 10 mph. Note that “average wind speed” means the average 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for an average year (and year-to-year averages can vary by a good deal).
Solar Panels
Solar panels are a great way to save on energy at your workplace, and because the efficiency of solar panels decreases with higher temperatures, Michigan’s cool climate makes it a great state for solar energy. Solar energy programs make solar energy up to 50% more affordable for customers who purchase and install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system in their business.
You can receive government incentives for the installation of solar panels. There are companies in the area who can help you learn more about those incentives while also providing installation services.
Geothermal
Geothermal -heat and cool for $38 a month? and eliminate your gas bill, your AC unit… and your chimney? If your front yard has a 10×10 area, you could potentially have a vertical bore hole to heat your building… and cool it in summer. Some cities may provide the bore hole where buildings can tap in and pay a monthly ‘geo utility’ bill. How does geo work? Start with the free heat in the ground-then we boost it up. In summer, the cycle reverses and the ground becomes a heat sink. Trenches, bore holes, or well water transfers the heat back and forth.. Your old furnace is removed and the geothermal unit is attached to your existing duck work & the loop. You may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit for the installation cost of geothermal technologies.
Solar Hot Water
Solar hot water works through collectors located on the roof of the building, which in turn begin to heat a non-toxic antifreeze mixture and turns on the pump . This pump moves the mixture through to a storage tank which then indirectly heats the water in the building. From here the hot water is dispensed through-out the building. Back up is also stored for cloudy days. This not only a cheaper water heating option than traditional routes but also helps reduce CO2 emissions. You may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit for solar hot water installation, excluding pools and hot tubs. .
Fuel Cell Generators
Fuel Cells create electricity and heat through a process of reacting a fuel with oxygen. In most cases this fuel being used is hydrogen. Compared to other generators they are cleaner, easier to manage, do not produce harmful emissions, and much more efficient. Since the by-product of this electrochemical process, when using hydrogen based fuel cells, is water- this helps cut down on pollution caused by burning fossil fuels as well as greenhouse gases. You may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit for the installation cost of fuel cell generators.
Bio Digesters
Bio Digesters essentially digest organic material in an ecological way. They treat human waste- allowing water to be used for irrigation purposes. (While the water will not be fit for human or animal consumption- it will be perfect for plants, fertilization, and small fish ponds.) They are cleaner and easier alternatives to septic tanks- also having the added bonus that they are less likely to leak and are odorless. Bio Digesters also produce methane gas and if enough waste is created, they can potentially use this fuel to help power the building.
