Solar And Wind Power Generation

Solar And Wind Power Generation

by Adrian Fletcher

The two most popular alternatives in renewable energy for the home are solar and wind power. When the two are used in concert they can provide a constant energy source that is environmentally friendly. You can even mount them onto a system that is connected to a utility grid so that most of the energy to your home is supplied by the system and the grid is used as a backup system.

A solar power system will supply electricity generated by the rays of the sun. Solar panels lined with a semiconductor which generates electricity whenever the rays strike it can be installed either using a roof, pole, or ground mount. Such mounts are usually equipped with motors which let the panels be tilted during the course of the day so they can follow the sun’s path.

The electricity generated by such systems is routed through a regulator/controller and then to an inverter to change the direct current to alternate current. Depending upon your installation, it may be sent to your battery array as direct current or to the electrical system in your home. When it is passed to your home, it can be used to power all your appliances just as the electricity from the grid may be currently doing.

Electricity follows the same basic path in a wind power system with the exception of the generation portion which takes place in the body of the turbine, which most of us consider the “giant fan” which spins away at the top of the enormous towers they are sometimes mounted on.

In a wind power setup the wind turns the blades of the wind turbine the shaft of which is routed into a generator which as it spins creates the electricity. That electricity is then routed into your structure’s electrical or storage system to provide power on its own or as a backup to your solar power.

Wind power requires slightly less initial equipment costs as the bulk of the equipment cost is the turbine which is significantly less expensive than most solar arrays. The downside is that the turbine is going to have to be mounted fairly high off the ground on a tower style mount that is stronger but more expensive to install. An installation of this type will more than likely require zoning approval from the municipality that it is installed in and a great deal more planning.

When you use solar power in combination with wind power, each part can contribute to the overall energy output. This can add up and put a significant dent in your utility bills if the conditions are right. Some guides to create such systems claim that you can build a hybrid system for the home for around $400. This is possible if you use discounted parts and do all the labor yourself. This may not be for everyone but because it is so cheap to put up, it may be a worthwhile project for any DIY enthusiast.

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Posted in Alternative energy on Nov 10th, 2008, 11:32 am by Adrian Fletcher   

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