While alternative energy is nothing new in the United States, the popularity of these alternative options has increased dramatically as the cost of tradition energy sources such as natural gas and electricity has increased dramatically. There are a wide range of options including hydro power, geothermal power, and solar power as three of the most common. Of those three, the most common is probably solar power due to the increased understanding of solar power and the relative ease for homeowners to purchase and have installed in their existing homes. On average, heating and cooling costs make up half of all…