At the same time as the strain on world energy resources such as oil and electricity continues to increase we are all becoming increasingly aware that how we obtain and use these resources can have a huge impact on the planet (thanks to such movies as "An Inconvenient Truth"). Although each individual household uses much less energy than the big industrial users, the share volume of numbers means that if enough households take action we achieve three successful outcomes:

1. Reduce the strain on electricity supplies

2. Help keep our planet green

3. Receive personal reward for doing so by reducing our electric bills dramatically.

What is the best way to do this? By creating and using our own electricity.

If you're like most people, when you read that last line you reached for the mouse because it seems like such an impossibility that you the reader could create your own electricity. But, renewable energy is all around us and making use of it is actually a lot easier and cheaper than you think.

The two most abundant sources of renewable energy are wind and sunshine -- that is, "wind power" and "solar energy". There is a third source -- water -- but: firstly this is not available for most people to take advantage of; and secondly utilising it often has other impacts on the environment.

Given the right conditions it is very easy to setup your own wind generator or wind turbine -- basically a propellor that catches the wind's energy and, as it is forced to turn, generates electricity. Solar power, although slightly more expensive to setup, has the advantage of long life -- a typical solar panel can last as long as 40 years. With both systems you would set them up to capture and store electricity. Using either or both methods you will definitely see a reduction in the amount you are paying for electricity -- and, depending on the amount of electricity you are able to generate, you may not only knock out your bill completely but actually earn money for excess electricity that you are able to sell back to the supplier.

Although you not know many people doing it now, as the world gets greener, and as electricity bills continue to go up, home generated electricity will become more of an everyday occurrence.