• There are several alternatives to residential windmill power.new era windmill image by Nellie Vin from Fotolia.com
  
  There are a few reasons why you might need or want a residential windmill or an alternate power source. You might need to supply power to an area that is not connected to the power grid. You may want to cut power costs. Or you may just want to produce greener electricity. There are several ways to solve this problem, but the price and feasibility varies widely between the different solutions.
  
  

Solar Panels

• Solar panels are a very environmentally friendly option, and great for those who have the funds. The price is determined primarily by the amount of power that you need to produce. Estimates vary so drastically from one installation to another that it is impossible to get an estimate without a professional's assistance. The price of solar panels varies over time, so try to have them installed when prices are low. Their efficiency increases constantly, so the longer you can wait, the better. The amount of available sunlight is a factor, too. Solar panels can be mounted on automated platforms in order to maximize light absorption, but ultimately the surface area of the panels will be a limiting factor on energy production. Additionally, the panels don't last forever. Weathering or cracking will occasionally cause breakage, and they will need to be replaced.
  
  

Fuel Cells

• A few companies make propane fuel cells that can be used at the home. They work in the same way as automotive or other fuel cells by combining a fuel and oxygen across a catalyst that can extract electricity from their reaction. Propane fuel cells are relatively inexpensive, portable and can supply large amounts of electricity to a home. The downside is that they require propane as fuel. This means that you will need to keep a constant supply of propane around if you want constant power to your home. Some fuel cells can be run off of gas lines and can also heat your home.
  
  

Generators

• Gas generators are the easiest, and possibly the cheapest, way to get electricity to a home that is off the grid. Generators are relatively inexpensive and can be bought in sizes large enough to serve an entire home. The drawbacks to gas generators are their noise and exhaust. They need to be run outside, and preferably far enough away from the home that the noise does not bother you too much. You will always need a supply of gasoline in order to keep the machine running, but they very portable, requiring no complicated installation.