Success stories from around the globe on the usage of alternative power sources

While many are now worried about the 15 per cent hike in electricity tariff which was recently announced by the government, there is still hope for those who wish to save up from paying hefty amounts on their electricity bills.

Some countries around the world have already adapted an alternative way of generating power through other means besides electricity.

The Hansen family from New York have succeeded in preventing themselves from paying an expensive electric bill thanks to the energy created by the combined efforts of their solar hot water heating system and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, according to an article published in the Alternative Power Solutions' website.

Like other families in the United States, the Hansens paid huge amounts of electric bill every month as the cost of their heater in the colder months increased with every passing season.

Tired of paying such bills, Jerri and Richard Hansen of Cortland sought the help of Alternative Power Solutions of New York, LLC about the possibility of installing a windmill on their property to generate electricity.

The company soon helped them install a solar hot water heating system, along with 20 solar panels on their roof.

As a result, the family managed to cut their electric bill by as much as 96%!

According to the article, the Hansens' summer electric bill used to cost them USD$134 per month.

However, after the solar panels were added they are now paying USD$26 per month which means they managed to save up USD$ 108 per month.

Another success story is the usage of solar and hydro system from a family in Manhatten, New York.

Edward E. Roe and his family of five was using approximately 33 kWh of electricity per day until he began researching alternative energy in January 1999.

Now, the family's consumption has dramatically reduced to the average of 2.5 kWh per day thanks to his installation of a combined solar/hydro system.

In Germany, the Schneider family who owns a farm managed to save up from forking out huge amount of bills by installing wind turbines.

Through the installation, not just the family but the whole town of Freiamt, with a total population of 4,200, now provides more than 200 per cent of its electricity needs, according to an article published in RE New Economy.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili announced on December 2 that the electricity and gas subsidies will be reviewed, with the average electricity tariff in Peninsular Malaysia to be raised 14.89 per cent or 4.99 sen per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 38.53 sen/kWh from Jan 1, 2014.

The current electricity tariff is 33.54 sen/kWh.

For Sabah and Labuan Federal Territory, the overall electricity tariff will be raised by five sen kWh or an increase of 16.9 per cent from the current rate, that is 29.52 sen KWJ to 34.52 sen kWh, to be effective on the same date.

However, 70.67 per cent or 4.56 million of the overall 6.45 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia and 62 per cent or 260,000 of the 418,000 domestic users in Sabah and the Labuan Federal Territory, who consumed 300 kWh or less a month, are not involved under this review.