Every source of energy can be categorized as either renewable or non-renewable. The latter refers to energy sources such as coal and oil that are finite, which means they will eventually run out. Renewable energy, on the other hand, comes from sources that are naturally replenished.

Renewable energy is not only sustainable, but it’s also better for the environment. Renewable energy sources such as the sun and wind do not emit greenhouse gases, so they do not contribute to global warming. 

If you are ready to learn about renewable energy sources and reduce your carbon footprint, get inspired by some of these renewable energy projects and ideas:

Invest in Solar Panels

Many homeowners are making the switch to renewable energy by investing in solar panels, which are devices that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. Solar panels are typically installed on your roof, but they can also be installed in your yard if roof space is limited.

Solar panels can generate a significant amount of power for your home so you won’t need to rely as heavily on traditional non-renewable energy sources. But unfortunately, these panels are not cheap. 

On average, it costs about $16,300 to install a 5kW solar panel system. Tax incentives and rebates can offset some of these costs to make the installation more affordable, though. 

Plus, the panels will drastically reduce your monthly electricity bills, so they will eventually pay for themselves over time. In fact, it’s estimated that the average household can save up to $30,000 over the course of 20 years with solar panels. If you plan on living in your home for a long time, installing solar panels is a wise long-term investment.

Build A Solar Oven

There are plenty of ways to take advantage of solar power even if you can’t afford to invest in solar panels. For example, you can build a solar oven using inexpensive materials such as a cardboard box, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap.

Start by finding a cardboard box that is at least three inches deep. A shoebox will work perfectly for this project. Use a marker to draw a one-inch border around the top of the box. Then, use a utility knife to cut along this border and create a flap.

Line the bottom of the flap and inside of the box with aluminum foil. Secure the aluminum foil to the box using glue. Apply one layer of plastic wrap to the box underneath the lid and tape it down to hold it in place. 

Prop the flap of the cardboard box open with a pencil. Place the box in a sunny spot for about 30 minutes. This will give your new oven enough time to preheat. 

Once the oven is ready, test it out by lifting the plastic cover and placing a marshmallow directly on the aluminum foil lining of the box. Reseal the plastic cover and let your marshmallow bake for about 30 minutes.

If the marshmallow is soft after 30 minutes, this means you have successfully used a renewable energy source to bake your food. Now, you can use this solar oven to bake your food whenever it’s sunny outside.

Install A Wind Turbine

Like solar panels, wind turbines can help homeowners power their homes with renewable energy. However, installing a wind turbine is not nearly as expensive as installing solar panels.

Residential wind turbines are highly efficient, which means they are capable of generating a lot of power with a small amount of wind. As a result, you don’t need to live in a particularly windy area in order to generate power with a wind turbine. Ideally, you should live in an area where there are wind speeds of 9 mph or more.

A wind turbine is not right for everyone, though. Your property must be a certain size, generally at least a half-acre, in order to comfortably fit a small wind turbine system. You must also consider other factors that could affect the wind turbine’s performance, including the surrounding buildings, terrain, and trees. Tall trees, buildings, and hilly terrain, for example, could disrupt the flow of air and affect the wind turbine’s ability to generate power.

If your home is a good fit for a wind turbine, this installation could reduce your carbon footprint and drastically lower your monthly utility bills.

These are some of the many projects you can complete at home to enjoy the benefits of harnessing the power of renewable energy sources. Investing your time and resources into renewable energy could help you live an eco-friendlier lifestyle, protect the planet, and save a substantial amount of money on energy bills.