But how do you find that out?

Much easier now with a solar power calculator from the US Government’s National Renewable Energy Lab.

This calculator lets you use the standard settings so all you need to do is click on your location and you can get a general idea of the solar power you can generate in your area as well as how much credit, on average, you can earn.

For more advanced users, there is another version of the solar calculator that allows you to choose any location, not just major metropolitan areas in the US, but is more complicated to use.

To get a better idea of the solar generating potential in your area, here’s a map of the US. You’ll notice that the highest collection areas are noted in orange and lowest in blue and purple (only found in Alaska!).

Not surprisingly, the highest collection areas are in Arizona, New Mexico and parts of California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado.

Wind farms often receive a bad press, especially when they’re situated near homes or in popular hiking areas. They can make a lot of noise and because they have to be placed on skylines for maximum efficiency they often spoil views. Offshore wind farms are less problematic in this way and can take advantage of fierce sea winds, increasing their output, but they rely on a nation having a lot of suitable coastline.

While the Netherlands does very well with its wind farms, the US, considering the comparative size of its population, is at a distinct disadvantage. For the home-owner, small wind-powered generators are available, but they’re not very efficient and often result in complaints from neighbors.

Hydroelectricity is a much more effective way of generating power, using the natural energy of rivers or tidal forces. However, there are a limited number of suitable locations for hydroelectric generators, and often these are in areas which already provide fertile farmland, so a lot of people have to be displaced and lose their land in order for them to be built. They can also have a damaging impact on local wildlife.

Of these three major alternative energy options, only solar energy passes the test of being truly non-polluting, practical and easy to access. Modern solar panels can still function effectively even in areas where it’s frequently cloudy. They don’t get in anyone’s way,  and once installed, they require very little maintenance. For these reasons, the greenest way to generate the power we need is by harnessing the power of the sun.

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