PV Gap

Freddie Said:

Are there any tax incentives for installing alternative energy products in a residential illinois homeZ?

We Answered:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/states/alternatives/resources_il.cfm

Lance Said:

what is the best way to promote an alternative energy business?

We Answered:

Firstly, try to position ur product, i think 2 ways r there like eco friendly future energy concept other is cost effective so price competitive approch. But if u chose eco friendly approcah u can keep a high profit margin and do so. So the real question is how to promote? It also depend on ur target market. If its the upper sector indivial market then l guess personal selling will be one attractive way as the product is technical. And this way will also can be used for B2B market. Other way is trade fairs this way u can demostrate the product with a big target audience. If u choose the low cost positioning l guess a consumenr fair or local press will do a good job. Since u r targeting international consumenrs one suggestion is seek for agents in other counties. As l mention energy business is quite technical so l guess internet still now is not much reacherble for these market. Goodluck to u. And thks for the additional details.

Anne Said:

alternative energy - going off-grid?

We Answered:

Easy, the price.

Most people don't understand that the electrical grid not only acts as the way to get the electricity to your house but also as a big storage facility for all that energy. The best description of the electrical grid I can give you is a balloon full of holes. Each hole is an appliance using electricity and the generating stations have to provide electricity at exactly the same rate as it is leaking out in order to keep the balloon at exactly the same size (constant voltage and frequency).

To make an home based generating system effective you must either connect to the grid and buy/sell the power you consume/produce through a "smart meter". Or else you have to install and maintain a large bank of batteries to store the energy in your home (unless you have an esoteric system that produces H2 or some other fuel) and since batteries are direct current (DC) and appliances run on alternating current (AC) you also need an invertor to turn DC into AC.

So it isn't as simple as putting solar cells or windmills on your roof. You also need a way to store that energy for those times when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow. All that extra equipment you need to be independent of the grid is very expensive.

Ronnie Said:

What is the hottest money making alternative energy product of this decade ??

We Answered:

General Motors is currently researching a Hydrogen Cell Vechicle. If successful this vehicle would run on H2O. The have a video on the research. I wish i had the cash to buy stock in the company making the motor/cell.

Naomi Said:

What new products would you like to see in renewable energy?

We Answered:

I didn't give the site you linked a thorough go-through, but I didn't see ANYTHING there of much use to me. I would go on the side of conservation. Since I am a renter, and can almost guarantee the landlord won't do a damn thing to improve the building, since I pay 100% of my own utilities. I'd like to see some company out there start looking into creating energy saving inventions for renters, so that when we leave a house we can take OUR improvements with us. Right now, the ultra-low-flow shower hear and some CFLs are all I am willing to put into the house, since I can do exactly that: I can take them with me when I move.

Catherine Said:

what are the alternative forms of efficient energy resources available to power products?

We Answered:

Hydrogen via ammonia is much interesting...

Nathan Said:

I was thinking of entering an Alternative Energy field when I get a job, and...?

We Answered:

I think it's great that you want to work in alternative energy. It is a great field to get into, especially with people turning to alternative energy sources, from hybrid cars to wind energy.

I don't have a top 5 or 10 list for you, but one of the fastest growing sources of energy in the world is winder energy. It provides clean, renewable electricity that is both economical and environmentally friendly The Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that wind energy production increased by 21 percent in 2007 alone.

As for multiple doctorates, bachelors and master's degrees, I would think about why you were wanting to accomplish all of these at once and what you are hoping to get out of it. I had friends in college that double majored in a few fields, it's not uncommon, especially if there is overlap in some of the core classes that you take.

The best thing that you can do it talk to an academic adviser at school and tell them of your aspirations and see if they can provide you direction, after all, that is what they are paid for.

Best of luck to you!