Racine, WI & Ithaca, NY -Thirty top wildlife scientists have announced agreement on some of the highest research priorities to help America’s rapidly growing wind energy industry produce much-needed alternative energy-while also providing safe passage for birds and bats. This coalition of scientists from industry, government, nongovernmental organizations, and universities met recently in Racine, Wisconsin, to address unanswered questions about how continued wind energy development will affect migrating birds and bats. The meeting was hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the American Bird Conservancy, and The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread.

“We see great potential in wind energy for addressing global climate change and reducing America’s reliance on fossil fuels,” said Dr. Michael Fry of the American Bird Conservancy. “It’s critical we act now to understand the interactions between wind energy installations and birds and bats.”

No wait, actually I was thinking of powering my house with solar energy.  But as I was dreaming of going off the electrical grid, I drifted off to a paradise hunting club with solar powered everything.   Since I live in Georgia where its almost to hot to hunt half the season,  I was dreaming of an air conditioned treestand.  An aerial penthouse built for observational comfort while waiting for the perfect moment to showcase my extreme marksmanship…….. hey,  am I still dreaming…..???

OK back to business.

I’m thinking there’s a  couple of ways of investing in solar power. One as a home owner and two as stock market investor.  As a home owner, there are several advantages of solar power. Here are some from Solar Power.org

•Solar power is a renewable resource. This means that we are not in danger of depleting its reserves. Though it may disappear behind clouds momentarily and is unavailable at night, it generally returns in full force.

•Solar power is non-polluting. Unlike oil, solar power usage does not emit any greenhouse gases, nor does the acquisition of it harm ecosystems through spills or dredging. This is probably one of the primary advantages of solar power.

•The energy and heat from the sun is free. Once solar panels or solar thermal collectors are set up, there are no electrical expenses necessary to power them.

•Solar cells require very little maintenance, greatly because there are no moving parts that must be maintained.

•Solar cells can last a lifetime.

•Solar power is incredibly versatile. A variety of inventions may be powered by it, including cars, water heaters, fountains, buildings, and satellites.

•In remote locations, solar power may be a more realistic energy option than running large lengths of electrical wires to connect to a grid.

Solar power as an investment for the home owner, greatly improves the home’s value.  With the current declines in the housing markets, every extra perk you can add will make that sale.  And a cheap or no electric bill makes a house really appealing in a market that’s overloaded with foreclosures.

To get an even better return on your solar power investment (ROI) there are many incentives available from  the Federal, States, local governments, and even electric companies.  They also want you to invest in alterative energy systems.  Currently, the Federal gives a personal tax credit of 30%, up to $2000, of the cost of a solar system.  And 40 states have laws for home owners to sell back electricity to the power companies.  Typically there are at least two or three programs available to people wanting to take advantage of alternative power.

These investment incentives can turn a  high cost investment with a long payback period into an affordable investment that pays for itself in just a few years.

As a market investor all one has to do is research the solar industry to find investment opportunities.  Companies that make the semi-conductors for solar panels are probly the first on the list.  There are ETFs that play the industry as there are also mutual funds centered around green energy.

Solar power is only going to grow from here on out, as long as the sun comes up in the morning.

This post is one of many I plan on doing covering solar power investments.  Next time I’ll post on how a solar power system works and maybe try to figure out how much of a system it would take to go off the grid…..

Or to power my solar powered air conditioner for my treestand/penthouse over looking the food plot…. later.