Energy self-sufficiency as an important element of a real estate purchase decision has moved from the realm of idle chit-chat into the world of reality.
I have been getting more and more calls lately from buyers seeking land parcels that have attributes that lend themselves well to personal power generation.
Some are looking for a good running stream with a significant fall, or an unobstructed hilltop that could support a wind turbine.
Energy self-sufficiency is not, however, a new or novel concept. Prior to the days of inexpensive and readily available electricity, resourceful entrepreneurs harnessed the power of wind and water to run their machinery and improve their livelihoods.
And while the initial investment was expensive, the long term benefit of free energy for years to come resulted in a significant return on investment.
Modern technology has reduced the up-front costs significantly and the efficiency of generators has made them more compact and reliable than ever.
Energy self-sufficiency is no longer a radical concept, but it is a genuine specification that is becoming more and more mainstream every day!
And it could be a wonderful investment for generations to come!
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We've had off grid buyers living off the land, way way more self sufficient living since 1980 and getting in to pounding real estate signs in the lawn, nailing them on trees and buildings. It was not called green and a big business. It was Mother Earth News, Whole Earth catalog and back to the land "hippys, granolas, tree huggers" said in a good way. Simple living, good food, hard work, an awareness of the great wide world, weather around you.
Richard, when technology runs the gamut, I think we will see folks return to innovation and a self sustaining lifestyle...
Andrew...
And now you can be be "on the grid" and sell excess power back for a tidy little income. Nothing too "hippy" about that! lol and thanks my friend. I hope that you have a great day.
I remember growing up in Nebraska and visiting relatives on the farms and all the windmills for self sustaining energy. I moved to the desert where it is windy and sunny and wonder "why" don't we have more self sustaining energy products here?
Huge utility lobbyists would be losers!
Richard,
It's a ripple now but it's going to become a wave in the not too distant future.
Rich
Self-sufficiency is a great concept, but I'm surprised by how many utility companies - especially those owned by local governments - still charge the homeowner a monthly fee even if no services are used. I've run across several who say that being hooked to the grid is a legal necessity because "reliable power may be needed in emergency situations." One California utility executive recently slipped up and stated the ultimate purpose of the new Smart Meters being installed in homes: "The value of the Smart Meter is that one day a Smart Grid will be able to read exactly which appliances are being used in a household. Utility companies will be able to disable those appliances one at a time when the Government feels their use is not warranted." Who cares about being green, I want to get disconnected from the grid ASAP!
Slowly we are progressing back to the 1800's . all homes were self sufficient then
Michael...
That seems to be where we are heading. Thanks.
Renee...
Now that the price of solar cells have dramatically dropped, I wonder why every roof in the desert isn't covered with them??? I think I'll do a little research on that. Thanks so much.
Rich...
I believe that you are correct sir! Thanks.
John...
Now, I understand that if you generate excess power, the utility company MUST buy it back. Now I'm wondering if mandatory fees and expenses make that impractical. Thanks for jumping into the conversation.
Richard, We too have the off the grid-ers living here, they are attracted by the no-income tax, or broad based sales tax, and the lower government regulations when it comes to permitting of wind & Solar sources.
Richard,
I just read an article that my High School in Boston is installing solar panels on the roof's of ALL the buildings this summer. They will generate 200 kilowatts of energy at a time. This will be 40% of the energy requirement for the school and will be the biggest project in the Metro-Boston area. If something like this will work as far north as Boston you would wonder why more people from coast to coast wouldn't explore solar/wind energy as a viable alternative to relying on "the grid".
I've heard of a few local farmers using the roof of their barns for solar. It produces enough energy for the farm and the home.
The wind, water and sun...therein lies our future. It is nice that some have come to realize that a little passive energy gathering can mean less pollution and dependency on others. Nice pictures, as usual.
Good morning Richard,
I've had a seller in Austin who is moving to 200 acres that her family is purchasing where all 4 kids are building their homes as well as the parents. They are going to be self sufficient and ready to live off the land and have their own power in 5 years!
Good Morning Richard,
Thanks for another thoughtful post. Have an awesome day.
There was an article in the paper today that tells of a commercial sized airliner that takes off and lands on jet fuel but flies on solar. The technology is getting us to a place where we'll be energy self sufficient. As old people do, they remember way back when. I remember reading in My Little Reader in 3rd grade (1953) that the known oil reserves would be used up by 1975. If we'd only figured out then that alternative energy should be studied over oil exploration, perhaps we'd have a better more sustainable world today.
I believe that as things continue along the path that we are on, those who are planning now will be glad that they did as far as being self sufficient.
Featured @ Club Chaos
I hope we are moving toward becoming a more self-sufficient nation, period.
Richard...Solar has been the big one for me. Running water with a drop? Sounds like a permit night mare!
I've seen a lot of solar projects going here in Idaho, and like you said, the up-front cost is much lower than it used to be. The added Federal and State tax incentives aren't too shabby either!
I agree that this is a step in the right direction toward being a more self-sufficient nation as Susan said!
Would love to be able to reduce my electric bill. My home, from the appearances of my last month's electric bill, seems to be made of swiss cheese.
Richard,
It is interesting how "Green" is coming in full circle...looking forward to the past, as it were. Some of the green attributes of a neighborhood describe neighborhoods of the 30's and 40's...big porches, sense of community/neighborhood, large sidewalks, shade trees... Great Post as always
Oh I hope! I would love to see the alternative energy programs take off...from the bottom up, so to speak...let the people change the government and the business.
Richard in our area solar panels are still the preferred choice, especially as we tend to have more densely populated areas. Being green conscience is never a bad thing
What's old is new again... these are time tested ideas that a lot of folks have been practicing for generations. It's good to get back to some common sense.
I hope the trend towards green and renewable energy continues. I'd like to stop paying all the wrong people for oil.
There are two homes near my parents house that have small windmills that generate energy. I found out the cost is about 25K to set up. But with the state and Federal tax credits it came to about 5K if I remember correctly.
Louisiana has probably the best tax credit in the country for this type of energy. They also can sell the excess electricity to the utility company.
Richard, I wish you worked in my store. You are so on target. I can't believe this one hasn't already been featured but I suggested it. We all need to remember that there is such a thing as comraderie and working together and win/win.
Great blog.
Just saw this post in a reblog. This is absolutely going to be huge in our business. I would love to get the latest Green designation and be ahead of the curve. I know very little about the latest and greatest in energy efficiency.