When you hear the term green energy or eco-energy, that means the power is supplied in whole or in part from renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, or hydropower or sometimes by a combination of them. By using green energy sources you can reduce the need for fossil fuel resources such as coal and natural gas.

Across the United States many energy companies are adding green energy options, so you can purchase green energy straight from your utility supplier. You may also have the option of purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates, also known as green tags, tradable renewable certificates, and green energy certificates. These are certificates that represent the environmental attributes of power produced by renewable energy sources. Green-e is a program that certifies and verifies renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Visit www.green-e.orgto learn about green energy and its sources and to see if you have any local providers of eco-energy.

You have other options when it comes to green energy, even if you do not have access through a local supplier. You can live off the grid by creating and using your own electricity. The two best sources for individual home use are solar and wind, solar being the most popular and readily accessible. Sometimes you may even produce more power than what your household uses and you will be able to sell it to the electrical company. This is called net metering or sometimes dual metering.

You can create your own energy by setting up a solar energy system for your home. There are two types of solar energy: passive and active.

Passive solar power incorporates energy-efficient design with the use of windows, skylights, roof lights, and proper insulation to make use of the natural energy the sun provides. Simple ways anyone can use passive solar energy are by opening your curtains and blinds during the day to let in heat and light and by closing the curtains at night to keep all the heat in. Combined with good insulation and radiant barriers in your roof, you can effectively conserve energy and keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There are many design elements and materials that can make the use of passive solar energy even more effective, including using thermal mass, solar slabs, and high tech windows.

Active solar power involves actively collecting solar energy and converting it into usable energy. Solar power can be collected through two main methods: fluid collectors and photovoltaic cells. Fluid collectors use solar power to heat and circulate fluid for energy. The most commonly used form is through photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cells can be as small and simple as those on a solar garden light or as complicated as a whole system set up on your home. You can install solar systems that control only one thing in your home (such as your water pump or water heating system), multiple items, or the entire home.

You can even incorporate the use of solar power for simpler elements such as battery chargers, outdoor lighting, even cooking. Gaiam (www.gaiam.com) has solar cooking stoves available at its web store. For detailed information about solar power, check out Solar Living Source-book: Your Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living by John Schaeffer. It has information about all aspects of green buildings, including green techniques and building supplies, though it really focuses on the technical side of renewable energy. It is full of highly detailed sections about solar, wind, and hydro power and how it should be installed in your home.