When my ancestors first arrived on the North American continent 388 years ago, they did what the Native Americans were already doing: They burned wood for warmth and light and used the rivers and streams for transportation. Generally, the colonists and pioneers had only to use their hands for gathering up energy for their homes. For the next 221 or so years, almost all citizens and natives dwelling in the colonies and later the United States and its territories were individually energy independent – they did not have to depend upon an outside or a foreign source – just themselves.

Of course, this is a generalization, as cities built up – not everyone had easy access to the forests and wood was delivered to these people. Whale oil was also an important source of light. Candles were not always made by individual families, but purchased in stores. Then, of course, coal began to supplant wood in the larger towns and cities and direct, individual ownership of energy began to be diminish.

Then by 1900, oil had developed to the point where it has become the dominant form of energy used by our civilizations. Oil, which is controlled by a very few and upon which most of us are dependent upon to go out about our daily lives. Oil, coal, gas and nuclear power are all centrally controlled and the individual is dependent upon others to access that energy.

But that is about to change big time – and once again each of us can be IEI – individually energy independent! Thanks to solar energy.

Solar technology combined with wind energy, tidal power, geothermal and oceanic thermal inversion systems can power the energy needs of the United States, if we but implement it. The above renewable energy sources can take care of us today and tomorrow and for unimaginable generations to come.

While some of the renewable energy will come for large scale projects – such as wind farms and tidal power systems. Much of the energy taken from the sun can be captured by individuals and small communities – enough to make those smaller communities independent for their normal daily needs.

So how do you get started? The cost and efficiency of solar panels has improved every year. If you have not done an analysis lately – your home budget might now be financially ready to place those panels on your roof or in your backyard. And these solar panels can be hooked up to the grid to supply extra electricity outward or stored into home battery systems to be used at night or during days of inclement weather.

European countries have begun to install battery systems that will take the day’s extra electricity and sock it away for later use. We can do that here as well. For example, the company Tesla, the maker of electric cars, has branched out into solar installations that include home battery storage systems.

But for many – the cost is still too high for that kind of investment, but there are other possibilities to explore.

Check to see if your local or state government has a grant program for home installation of solar panels. And check with your local power company, too, they may have grants or no interest loans. Additionally, some solar installation companies will let you pay your bill monthly – in amounts equal to your average savings in energy costs from the use of the new solar panels on your roof.

And speaking of local and state governments, it is time to pressure your representative and civic leaders to go solar wherever it is possible. Government buildings need to be going solar – saving tax dollars in the long term. And at the state level, special solar and wind projects need to be developed and funded and perhaps those grants for home owners can be funded, too.

At the local level, zoning laws can be passed requiring new construction to include solar panels or, at a minimum, sky lights and solar tubes. Physically large buildings such as shopping malls could be required to install solar panels on their roofs or place them creatively into their parking lots. Commercial buildings may find that the investment made in utilizing sunlight will save them money over time.

When it comes to community solar systems – the goal is to utilize space that is going to waste. So use your imagination and let get our local neighborhoods, communities, towns, counties and state IEI – Individually Energy Independent.

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