One of the principal ways to lower your electric bill is, of course, to lower you air conditioning or heating bill. Just setting the thermostat a few degrees higher in the case of air conditioning and vs.vs. for the heat wil probably cut your bill by 10-15%. Of course, If you are on the 2nd floor or above, you can open your windows for ventilation on a warm day. Using ceiling fans will also reduce your bill; in the case of a cold house, extra clothing.

Now there are solar alternatives, of course, but panels must be installed and homeowners' insurance must be provided to protect against damage from accidents, or unusual weather. The initial cost of installation may be offset by tax incentives and also the cost-over-time of running the efficient system. Another very important consideration, if you decide to purchase solar panels, is the maintenance of those panels. Some companies will include all the maintenance and installation and simply require that you provide a homeowners coverage. There will, however, be an initial investment required from the condo-owner.

Another important consideration is whether or not the panels will be portable, that is, if you sell your condo will the life warranty be extended to the new owner. This is an important consideration, as it may, in fact, add value to your condo. Another important factor is checking with the Condo association before you purchase and install the panels.

Now there is even another breakthrough in technology being developed in Switzerland by Filsom. it is called "thin flim solar panels" and will reduce the price of electricity from $3-4/watt to .80/watt in 5 years and down to .50/watt in 10 years. Those panels wil be available commercially by 2009. I have provided a link giving the latest information about it.

Now the difference in technology is that the new panels use CIGS (copper indium gallium slenide) as opposed to the silicon technology currently being used. apparently even the Google founders, Sergey Brin, Larry and Carl Page are set to invest in Nanosolar of California which will be producing this technology. This thin film can be printed onto surfaces.