When you come to think of it, renewable energy like solar photovoltaic cells, small wind turbines and fuel cells make perfect sense.  You have seen and heard of them for decades, you know that they are eco-friendly (no pollution, no fossil fuel use and no greenhouse gas emissions), and you are protected from the fluctuating costs and supply of main grid-supplied electricity.  So, what’s keeping you and countless others from adopting the technologies?

High Cost, High Consumption

Well, it would have to be the high cost of the components.  In some estimates, the purchase of solar panels for the average American home is equivalent to the electricity bills for the next 20 years except that you have to pay it upfront.

Unless your family belongs to the millionaires’ club, it will be very difficult to adopt renewable energy on the home level.  And then there is the unassailable fact that the average American home consumes electricity far beyond the capacity of most small home installations, which makes the option less attractive.

Lower Cost, High Rebates

Fortunately, many governments both here and abroad have adopted measures to assist homeowners in the installation of renewable energy sources in their homes through rebates and incentives.  When these are added to private sector financing (i.e., locked-in rent) and public sector financing (i.e., energy-efficient mortgages), many more homeowners will be able to install renewable energy generators.

The following are the general guidelines on renewable energy rebates in various countries:

• In the United States, the financial assistance on renewable energy installations and use (i.e., incentives, rebates and tax breaks) are one of the most comprehensive, if not the most comprehensive, in the world today.  There are rebates, incentives and tax breaks on the federal, state and local levels as well as on the utility and non-profit sectors.  As each state has its own laws on the matter, it is best to consult with local authorities on the financial assistance extended to the homeowners.

• In Australia, the Photovoltaic Rebate Programme offers AUS$8,000 rebates for 1KW system until June 2009, after which the Solar Credits Program will replace it.  The Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme offers as much as AUS$200,000 for homes and businesses remotely located from main grids.

• In the United Kingdom, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme provides grants to various organizations and homeowners in the setup of microgeneration technologies.  Homeowners can avail of grants up to £2,500.

These government initiatives are in recognition of the inexorable fact that the Earth’s resources are finite.  At some point, steps must be taken to protect the environment and its resources for future generations, to lessen dependence on fossil fuels and thereby lessen the harmful effects of its emissions on the atmosphere, and to diversify electricity sources.

With renewable energy rebates, you can now become an active partner in the preservation of the planet Earth.  After all, what is the good of having electricity to power the homes, the offices, the stores and other human structures when the Earth itself is suffering from man’s insatiable need and greed for power?