If you want to embrace solar power in a big way, solar panels are the way to go. A typical suburban home would require a 3 kilowatt system. The upfront cost would be about $20,000. But there are tax breaks and rebates depending on where you live. Experts say such a system could cut your electric bill by 75%. Of course that's driven by where you live and how much sun you get.
There are easier ways to go green that cost far less. Heather Neville works for Lowe's in Lubbock. She says new solar products hit the loading dock every day. Heather says: "It's pretty cool because it is you know pretty sci-fi-ish. You think how is it working, you know, you don't use any electricity. We grew up in an age where you got to plug everything in, and there was an electrical plug for everything." Today we're starting to plug directly into the sun.
Visit any home improvement store and you'll find dozens of solar powered garden lights. They come complete with a solar panel that charges the batteries inside. All you have to do is sit back and save. Heather says: "On average, you're going to probably save about thirty dollars a year, depending upon how much you use it and how many you have." Dianah Ascencio works for the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDot is also using solar power to cut costs. Dianah says: "When you take the expense of having to pay the electrical bill month after month, there can be some cost savings in that. I think everybody benefits from TxDot using solar equipment." TxDot began installing solar panels on what they call "beacons" about 4 years ago. Those are the flashing lights above traffic signs. They're usually found in rural areas or school zones. Heather says: "In the long run, you don't have the light bulbs, you don't have the electricity, and the wiring that you might have to do with your regular electrical outlet."
But it's not all about harnessing the sun for electricity. Solar energy can be used to heat water as well. Experts say it can save businesses 40 to 80 percent on their bills.
But before you go and turn off your utilities altogether you should think about this. When the sun shines, it shines, when the wind blows it blows, but you don't have any control over that. Alternate energies are usually supplementary power, not primary power. Switching from fossil fuels to solar power can also have an impact on people's health. Doctors say 50,000 Americans die each year because of power plant pollution..