ABSTRACT
Micro-power involves equipping a building or group of buildings with an independent power source that either wholly or partially supplies needed energy. The long-term financial rewards of renewable energy cannot be understood without comprehending 'payback' or return-on-investment, both of which measure profitability in relation to capital expenses. A model created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, found that several locally owned wind turbine projects in Iowa generated significantly higher economic impact levels than projects of equal capacity owned by other investors. The single most important factor in deciding whether or not a wind turbine will provide an adequate energy source for a business is to measure the force and duration of wind that is available. Before payback occurs, solar power is often considered one of the more expensive sustainable energy options available. Electricity produced from solar power is now so competitive that in some cases it's actually cheaper to use solar cells than conventionally produced electricity.
