solar and wind turbine power

I am interested in finding out from people who have had either wind turbines or solar panels fitted, are they worth the time and money. How much of the power required is actually supplied by these gadgets and would a combination of the two wind and solar fully cover an average power usage.

Depending on your location will be the biggest factor as to what your usage would be like and the best type to get.
In states with a lot of sunshine all year round many people actually sell or bank their excess electricity to the power companies. The same goes for areas with lots of wind.
The overall initial cost is fairly high and upkeep is a constant factor but in the long run they pay for themselves in 3 to 5 years on average.

November 30, 2009 at 3:46 pm by admin
Category: Solar Gadgets

8 Comments - “solar and wind turbine power”

Tristam H wrote on November 30, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Depending on your location will be the biggest factor as to what your usage would be like and the best type to get.
In states with a lot of sunshine all year round many people actually sell or bank their excess electricity to the power companies. The same goes for areas with lots of wind.
The overall initial cost is fairly high and upkeep is a constant factor but in the long run they pay for themselves in 3 to 5 years on average.
References :
yo wrote on November 30, 2009 at 10:02 pm
WINDLESS NIGHTS AR,NT MUCH KOP
References :
SnoddersB wrote on November 30, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Seems to me that the wind turbine has just been shot down see:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7546466.stm

And if this is true for the home than how much is true for the unsightly and government imposed national ones is true..

The report states that the wind turbine for home use will never repay the carbon that is used to produce, erect and maintain the beast so I would think that the same is true for the big ones.
References :
BBC news
thor wrote on November 30, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Read the whole article that Snodders listed (he obviously didn’t go past the first paragraph) and you will get your answer. Depends on the size and location of each technology. A wind turbine low to the ground with trees around and no wind won’t produce any power. A solar panel on the north side of a house and under a tree won’t produce any either. Place a turbine high up in a windy location or the panel in a constantly sunny location and they’re worth the time and money.
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prowberr@btinternet.com wrote on November 30, 2009 at 10:43 pm
As I stated in the thread that Snodders quotes, the Carbon Trust report states that small scale wind power in the urban setting, where wind is most variable and lower than in rural areas or at sea, are less likely to reduce carbon emissions. However, in other areas they will make positive contributions.

One problem with renewables in the UK is that competitors, such as nuclear, are heavily subisidsed in terms of government support to cover running costs, insurance and the disposal of waste and decomissioning plant. The CANE web site gives some useful background on the real cost of nuclear.

In most cases local generators in suitable settings end up being able to sell electricity back to the grid to subsidise their cost. However, a full survey is needed to predict your actual costs and payback time. A further thought is to consider installing a biodigester to compost your waste and generate electricity, especially for a whole community.
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whsgreenmom wrote on November 30, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I just installed a PV solar system on my house. The estimate for payback is 6 years. According to my utility bill I was averaging about 60kwh use per day last summer, I’ve managed to cut my usage with other measures so I estimate I was at about 45kwh per day. Now with my meter running backwards I’m using about 5kwh per day. I don’t know how much it will go down in the winter months. I live in an area that wind turbine wouldn’t be effective.

I may in the future add to my system to zero out my electric bill, but I want to see how the next year goes.
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alex378 wrote on November 30, 2009 at 11:21 pm
You should look at this:
http://getcleanenergy.com/
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mi06902 wrote on December 1, 2009 at 12:10 am
Wind power solutions work best when the following conditions are met:

• You have a house or farmhouse spread over a big area. Typically, wind power solutions are employed in areas that spread over an acre.
• The average wind speed in your area is around 11 miles per hour. If you stay in a place that has little wind flow, your system will not work. Consult an expert before installing the wind power solution at home.
• You need to draw water from external sources. You can install a wind power system even when you do not need to draw water from outside. However, if you need to draw water from outside on a regular basis, a wind power system offers the best solution.
• Your house needs a lot of uninterrupted power supply. Combating those power outages is easy with the pollution-free wind power systems. You need no longer worry about a break in your work because of a power uncertainty.

There are also various solar power options available for home use

Solar cooker: A solar cooker is a cooking utensil that uses absolutely no fuel for cooking. You can cook food for up to five people in the small box. If you are thinking that using a solar cooker will reduce your chances of spreading up a varied platter on the dining table, you will be surprised to know that you can not only boil food items in the cooker but also roast and bake! The only limitation with the solar cooker is the time it takes to cook. However, given the free source of energy it uses, this is a great option for cutting down those sky-rocketing bills and saving some power.

Solar home lighting: A solar home lighting system converts solar energy into electrical energy for your home. This is done via cells that are charged with solar energy. So, in the night, if you wonder how the lights are on in the house, it is because of the solar energy stored in the solar cells. You can install the solar home lighting system in your house and not worry about the electricity bills anymore.

Solar heating system: Installing a solar heating system in your home helps cutting down your electricity bill along with saving the world’s quickly-exhausting power. If you are worried that a solar heating system will turn your sweet home into a gadget house or that it will be an expensive investment, your concerns are misplaced. Companies providing solar power solutions for homes make it a point to install aesthetically-pleasing heating systems in your house. As per as expenditure is concerned, investing in a solar heating system is wise because you get a return on your investment within 3-4 years, giving you absolutely free service after that.

You can find a complete step-by-step fully illustrated manual, that will have you generating your own electricity for less than $200! at

http://retirerichguide.com/Earth4Energy.html

References :
http://retirerichguide.com/Earth4Energy.html

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