Question 2 of 21

What term describes a home that produces all of its own energy?

... Net-zero homes produce their own electricity, eliminating the need for a grid connection.

Question 3 of 21

Roughly how many people in the U.S. live completely off the grid?

... Around 200,000 people in the U.S. live off the grid. This number is much higher throughout the rest of the world, due to the fact that many countries don't even have a reliable grid to disconnect from.

Question 4 of 21

What device converts DC power from a wind turbine or solar panel into AC power that can be used in the average home?

... Inverters serve as a key component of renewable energy systems.

Question 5 of 21

In areas with average wind levels, what's the average cost per kilowatt hour of electricity generated by a small wind turbine?

... While the average is around 50 cents, in areas with a lot of wind, this cost can be as low as 12 cents per kilowatt hour.

Question 6 of 21

What was the average cost per kilowatt hour for electricity generated by a home photovoltaic system in 2011?

... In areas with generous photovoltaic system rebates and tax credits, this cost can be as low as 10 cents per kilowatt hour, but the average is about 25 cents.

Question 7 of 21

What is the average price per kilowatt hour for electricity generated at large power plants?

... It's about 11 cents. Homeowners should expect to pay more per unit of electricity when living off the grid.

Question 8 of 21

What renewable energy technology involves drawing on underground heat energy?

... Geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat or cool off-the-grid homes.

Question 9 of 21

Which of these policies allows consumers to sell power from photovoltaic panels or wind turbines back to the utility companies?

... Through net metering, homeowners that generate more power than they consume could earn a cash refund from the utility companies.

Question 10 of 21

What writer famously lived off the grid in days before the grid was even created?

... Modern families seeking a simpler life are often inspired by Thoreau's book "Walden."

Question 11 of 21

Which of these technologies serves as the most reliable of all renewable energy sources?

... Micro hydroelectric systems rely on water power from a nearby stream or river to generate electricity.

Question 12 of 21

How many kilowatt hours of electricity does the average family use each year?

... The average family uses about 10,000. Check your electric bill to see how many kilowatt hours you need to generate if you want to live off the grid.

Question 13 of 21

What cutting-edge machine extracts hydrogen from water, then uses it to power a home generator?

... As of 2011, just two homes in the world are known to rely on hydrogen power generated by an electrolyzer to support an off-the-grid lifestyle.

Question 14 of 21

To generate the 10,000 kilowatt hours that the average family uses each year, how many square feet of solar panels will you need?

... Just 800 square feet of the most efficient photovoltaic panels can allow a family to cut ties with the utility companies.

Question 15 of 21

These devices can power almost any appliance, but many are fueled by traditional gas or propane.

... Families living off the grid and looking to avoid fossil fuels may have to turn to biodiesel to power a backup generator.

Question 16 of 21

How much land do you need to support a wind turbine capable of powering the average home for a year?

... More than 20 million homes in the U.S. feature an acre of land or more, which is all you need for a wind turbine.

Question 17 of 21

What’s the average annual wind speed required to power a wind turbine?

... Most experts suggest that those living in areas with a wind speed of 9 miles per hour or more can live off the grid using a small wind turbine.

Question 18 of 21

What simple technology can provide clean, free light and heat for the home?

... Passive solar design incorporates insulation, windows and skylights to achieve maximum benefit from natural sunlight.

Question 19 of 21

In 2011, what percentage of energy consumed in the U.S. came from renewable sources?

... Just 8 percent of energy and 11 percent of electricity comes from wind, water, nuclear and geothermal sources combined.

Question 20 of 21

What organic energy source can be used for direct heat or electricity production?

... Biomass consists of wood, plants and waste materials that can be burned for heat or used to generate electricity.

Question 21 of 21

What renewable fuel source is derived from vegetable oil?

... Biodiesel can be mixed with diesel fuel and used in place of gasoline or oil.

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