New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program offers various ways to help you save money on your energy bills. The program provides rebates for, and technical support in, choosing solar, wind, or biomass technologies.

Solar

Solar electric technology converts sunlight directly into electricity whenever sunlight strikes the solar electric modules. The amount of electricity produced by a system will vary. More electricity is generated when the light is most intense (a sunny day) and strikes the solar electric system’s modules directly (when the sun’s rays are perpendicular to the modules).

New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program offers rebates to homeowners that can save on the cost of installing a solar electric system in your home. Please call 1-866-NJSMART for more information.

Wind

Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetation. Humans use this wind flow, or motion energy, for many purposes: sailing, flying a kite, and even generating electricity.

The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.

So how do wind turbines make electricity? Simply stated, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.

As a homeowner, you have the option of purchasing a small wind system. "Small wind" refers to wind-powered electric systems sized for homes, farms, and small businesses. These turbines are defined as 100 kilowatts in capacity and below. Please call 1-866-NJSMART to find out more information about small wind systems.