Solar And Wind Power For The Home
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by: AdrianFletcher | Total views: 31 | Word Count: 470
Solar and wind power in the home are probably the most widely used forms of alternative energy. When used in conjunction they form a totally green, round the clock hybrid energy system. They can even be wired into the utility grid connected system to supply the majority of your energy needs while the utility company functions as your backup energy source.
In a solar power system, the light from the sun is the source of electricity. Solar panels are mounted onto a roof, poles, or on the ground. The panels are lined with a semiconductor material that creates electricity when hit by the rays of the sun. Most mounts are equipped with motors that let you tilt the panels to face the sun as it moves through the sky.
The electricity that is generated by solar power systems is then routed through a regulator/controller to an inverter or battery bank depending on your installation. The inverter converts the current to alternate current that can be used in the home for all your major appliances.
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 combine a solar power setup with a wind power setup, you can plan for each section to work together to both compensate and complement the other. Wind power can be generated round the clock while solar has its inherent limitations. Depending on how much power you want to create, you can create a hybrid system that uses the sun and wind for a small price. Some guides claim you can do this for around $400 but this will require that you find discounted parts and do all the work yourself. This may be outside the expertise of many people but is doable if you have some DIY skills.
About the Author
For details on earth4energy, a way to make solar and wind energy at home then visit http://www.solarpowerappliances.com.
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