the winter blues and solar panel woes

Living in Wisconsin, I completely understand how any extra chore or shoveling of snow is to be avoided. I recently read a story on cnet news lamenting the extra work caused by snow accumulation on solar panels by Martin Lamonica.

I can definitely relate, but it would make me think twice about purchasing solar panels for my home in Wisconsin. So what other options are there for those of us in locations that bring long winters and heavy snow? I know that here in the Midwest, wind power seems the best alternative. If there is one thing we get more of here than snow - it's wind. So I got to thinking - "how available is wind power to the average person in our location?"

Currently Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) have five wind resources serving its customers. According to the MG&E website, MG&E customers can purchase this power through the Green Power Tomorrow program.

This program allows household customers to purchase alternative energy for an extra $6 a month on their utility bill. Businesses may purchase this energy for an extra $13 a month. Not too bad. And is this extra cost tax deductible? Sadly, no. This is considered a more expensive product and not a donation.

I feel good about enrolling in this program for my home. Granted, I can't be sure the "green" energy I buy is the energy we're using, but we're creating a demand for renewable energy and this is definitely a benefit. It's creating more resources and hopefully more jobs. One day this energy source won't be more expensive. It will be cleaner and cheaper to access that conventional energy sources. And hopefully, always at our disposal!

Moral - check local energy companies for alternative energy programs and enroll in one!