Do homemade windmills&solar panels work?
On One Hand: Electric Costs CutHome windmills and solar panels can cut electric bills dramatically, by 90 percent in some cases. Whether you build your own homemade windmills and solar panels or purchase them commercially, they still use the same technology used to power cities only on a smaller scale.On the Other: Upfront CostsAlthough solar panels and windmills save you money on your electric bills, they come along with high start-up costs, whether you build them yourself or buy them commercially. A simple power generator for a windmill costs about $1,000 (in 2010) plus the cost of building the actual windmill. Solar panels cost significantly more due to the cost of production. A starter kit for solar panels costs around $8,000 (in 2010).Bottom LineWindmills and solar panels end up paying for themselves in the long run. You may, however, need to consider the repair/replacement costs associated with home equipment in the future.
