Published 09-19-07
Submitted by ChooseRenewables.com
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - September 19, 2007 - ChooseRenewables(TM) today announced the launch of its Web site at www.ChooseRenewables.com, offering a one-stop destination that helps consumers understand their energy impact and take action to improve it. As global warming continues to generate headlines and energy prices escalate, consumers are increasingly seeking ways to reduce the impact of their energy use and save money. With ChooseRenewables' free MyEnergy Analyst(TM) consumers receive a clear picture of their personal energy impact and can implement a simple plan to reduce it with a MyEnergy Makeover(TM). The one-of-a-kind MyWatts Renewables Estimator(TM) allows users to simply enter their address and receive a free evaluation of potential solar and wind options they may be eligible to install at their home or business.
"Our mission is to not only educate consumers, but to empower them to take action by connecting them with realistic, easy-to-implement solutions that can dramatically reduce and diversify their energy use," said Michael Ford, founder and president of ChooseRenewables. "We encourage our customers to focus on reducing their energy use by adopting energy efficient technologies and changing their own behavior - and then use a portion of the savings reaped by energy conservation to support a clean and independent energy future through on-site renewable energy generation and other means."
Personalized Energy Tools and Solutions
ChooseRenewables offers three main measurement tools that together offer the most comprehensive way for consumers to reduce their energy impact. They include:
The U.S. market for small wind solutions is estimated to continue growing at a 14-25% annual rate , with solar solutions forecasted to grow 27-32% per year . For consumers with a good site for wind or solar energy generation, ChooseRenewables offers a detailed analysis of their options based on local market data and site-specific wind speed data to arm them with the information they need to make a sound renewable energy investment.
If consumers discover they have limited wind and solar options for their home, the ChooseRenewables Online Store also offers a variety of products and services to help homeowners conserve as much energy as possible, including an energy conservation kit that contains compact florescent light bulbs, insulation and gap fillers, low-flow shower heads and a programmable thermostat.
ChooseRenewables also provides options to help consumers offset their conventional energy use through renewable energy credits (RECs). By purchasing RECs, consumers can displace other non-renewable sources from the electric grid.
Top Renewable-Friendly Governors' Mansions
In conjunction with the site's launch, ChooseRenewables also announced the 10 most renewable-friendly Governors' Mansions in the country based on analysis using the MyWatts Renewables Estimator. The New York Governors' Mansion, home of Governor Eliot Spitzer, tops the list with the most affordable on-site wind and solar power potential in the nation. The Governor's Mansion in Honolulu, HI, home of Governor Linda Lingle, also makes the top 10 with potential for both wind and solar solutions. Other homes that top the list include:
Most Wind Power-Friendly Governor's Mansions:
1. New York Governor's Mansion, Albany, NY
2. Hawaii Governor's Mansion, Honolulu, HI
3. Illinois Governor's Mansion, Springfield, IL
4. Massachusetts Governor's Mansion, Boston, MA
5. North Dakota Governor's Mansion, Bismarck, ND
6. Ohio Governor's Mansion, Columbus, OH
7. Iowa Governor's Mansion, Des Moines, IA
8. Rhode Island Governor's Mansion, Providence, RI
9. Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, Oklahoma City, OK
10. Kansas Governor's Mansion, Topeka, KS
Most Solar Power-Friendly Governor's Mansions:
1. New York Governor's Mansion, Albany, NY
2. Connecticut Governor's Mansion, Hartford, CT
3. Delaware Governor's Mansion, Dover, DE
4. Arizona Governor's Mansion, Phoenix, AZ
5. Florida Governor's Mansion, Tallahassee, FL
6. Colorado Governor's Mansion, Denver, CO
7. New Jersey Governor's Mansion, Princeton, NJ
8. California Governor's Mansion, Sacramento, CA
9. Hawaii Governor's Mansion, Honolulu, HI
10. Nevada Governor's Mansion, Carson City, NV
According to the MyWatts Renewables Estimator, if Governor Spitzer were to install a 3kW wind turbine at the Governor's Mansion in Albany, NY, he could receive a $12,000 state incentive, which would cover nearly two-thirds of the total cost. If he installed a 3kW solar panel, he could receive up to $17,000 in state and federal incentives covering well more than 60% of the total installed cost. ChooseRenewables estimates that a 3kW wind turbine or solar panel could provide Governor Spitzer's residence with 2,500 to 3,500 kWh per year of renewable energy for the next twenty years.
Wind and solar incentives are distributed on both a state and federal level and are designed to encourage home and business-owners to install renewable energy solutions. They vary greatly by state, city or even neighborhood. ChooseRenewables gathers data on a national and local level to determine the viability of on-site wind or solar solutions for any location.
About ChooseRenewables
Choose Renewables, LLC, is a leading provider of renewable energy content and commerce via the World Wide Web. The company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and strives to promote a clean and independent energy future by enabling individuals, organizations, and communities to save energy, support clean energy, and generate their own renewable energy.
We are a collection of individuals dedicated to creating a more sustainable tomorrow. We span geographies, generations, backgrounds, ideals, religious doctrines and political ideologies - but we are all connected by the conviction that only by working together can we can leave the world in a better place than we found it. We're on a mission to demonstrate that profits and people and planet are not mutually exclusive pursuits. And our core is simple - educate, evaluate, and empower individuals with renewable energy they'll be proud to purchase!
More from ChooseRenewables.com