Solar And Wind 4 Me

Despite what many people say, you don’t need batteries for a solar system if you are going to also be connected to the electric company (grid). You just need the panels and an inverter (and mounting hardware and safety equipment like breakers and fuses).

Most people don’t generate all of the electricity they use. They offset some of their use with solar and buy the rest from the grid. You can get a very small grid-tied solar system for as little as $3000. However, it won’t generate much electricity at all. I’d say an average size system is around $10k - $20k. Here are some packages that show all of the components needed. http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-and-Package-Deals/Grid-Tied-Systems/Alt-E-Designed-Grid-Tie-Packages/c1087/

If you want to see how much you need, look at your electric bill and see how many kwh you buy each month. Put that number into a calculator like this one, and see how big of a system you need. http://www.altestore.com/store/calculators/on_grid_calculator/. Installed cost is about $8 per watt of solar panel.

The windmill, now one of the stars of the worldwide drive to develop a reasonably priced, non-polluting alternative energy source, has humble origins.

The first windmills were built to automate the tasks of grain-grinding and water-pumping, and the earliest-known design is the vertical axis system developed in Persia about 500-900 A.D.

The windmill’s rise to stardom in America began in the mid-19th century when a machinist in Connecticut named Daniel Halladay was asked by a traveling salesman to invent a windmill that, among other things, would pump water for livestock.

Those crude, mostly wooden early devices weren’t very reliable and had a very short shelf life. And Halladay and the Persian engineers would hardly recognize today’s windmills.

In fact, the three-bladed towering steel behemoths that have sprung up by the thousands in wind farms around the globe aren’t even called windmills anymore.

They have the space age moniker of “wind turbines.” And here a few of their vital characteristics:

** The turbines are pointed into the wind by computer-controlled motors.

** They have high tip speeds of up to six times the wind speed.

** They have high efficiency and low torque ripple, which contribute to good reliability.

** The blades are usually light gray to blend in with the clouds and range in length from 65 feet to 130 feet or more.

** The tubular steel towers range from 200 to 300 feet in height.

** The blades rotate at 10-22 revolutions per minute. A gear box is commonly used to step up the speed of the generator, although designs may also use direct drive of an annular generator. Some models operate at constant speed, but more energy can be collected by variable-speed turbines, which use a solid-state power converter to interface to the transmission system.

** All turbines are equipped with shut-down features to avoid damage at high wind speeds.

Pretty impressive.

But it’s not as if wind turbines are without flaws. They do, in fact, have a few negative effects on the environment.

One is sight pollution. Wind turbines are very visible and unsightly because they must be put in proximity to windy, open terrain to be useful.

Wind turbines also require a great deal of energy in their manufacture. This energy is typically fossil-based, and it can take up to five years before wind tunnels are positive in terms of total carbon emissions.

Wind turbines also are linked to the mauling of wildlife – birds have been mutilated as they passed through the turbine fans during migration.

Despite the downsides, however, wind turbines are and should be a choice when devising a broad plan for renewable energy.

For one thing, wind turbines are amazingly efficient. They generate power from a natural, eco-friendly renewable resource, without the hidden social or environmental penalties that we incur with the use of fossil fuels.

There is no need to mine for fuel or to transport it; there are no global warming pollutants created and no need to store, process or dispose of toxic wastes. Wind turbines are clean and green. They don’t create the carbon dioxide emissions that are causing greenhouse gases or the acidic emissions that cause acid rain.

And as with photovoltaic solar power generation, there might be rebates available for construction of wind turbines, and excess energy can be sold back to the power company.

Small wonder, then, that the public application of wind power has gotten widespread attention.

But one has to wonder: Is it possible, in this high-tech age, to return to simpler times?

Is there potentially an even better use of this gift from Mother Nature, better than the massive wind farms you see on TV?

Of course, there is the possibility of having your own home energy system installed – your own solar panels, your own windmill, etc. That is, that’s a possibility if you have a few thousand dollars lying around not doing anything.

But given the precarious state of the world economy at the moment, how many are willing – or can afford – to make such an investment?

Well, it just so happens there is another alternative. Much cheaper. Just as reliable. And ultimately far more satisfying.

In fact, this particular alternate use of wind power could be a financial windfall for you. Isn’t it time to eliminate your light bill altogether?

Dave Tishendorf
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/wind-turbines-here-is-something-better-750346.html

The windmill, now one of the stars of the worldwide drive to develop a reasonably priced, non-polluting alternative energy source, has humble origins.

The first windmills were built to automate the tasks of grain-grinding and water-pumping, and the earliest-known design is the vertical axis system developed in Persia about 500-900 A.D.

The windmill’s rise to stardom in America began in the mid-19th century when a machinist in Connecticut named Daniel Halladay was asked by a traveling salesman to invent a windmill that, among other things, would pump water for livestock.

Those crude, mostly wooden early devices weren’t very reliable and had a very short shelf life. And Halladay and the Persian engineers would hardly recognize today’s windmills.

In fact, the three-bladed towering steel behemoths that have sprung up by the thousands in wind farms around the globe aren’t even called windmills anymore.

They have the space age moniker of “wind turbines.” And here a few of their vital characteristics:

** The turbines are pointed into the wind by computer-controlled motors.

** They have high tip speeds of up to six times the wind speed.

** They have high efficiency and low torque ripple, which contribute to good reliability.

** The blades are usually light gray to blend in with the clouds and range in length from 65 feet to 130 feet or more.

** The tubular steel towers range from 200 to 300 feet in height.

** The blades rotate at 10-22 revolutions per minute. A gear box is commonly used to step up the speed of the generator, although designs may also use direct drive of an annular generator. Some models operate at constant speed, but more energy can be collected by variable-speed turbines, which use a solid-state power converter to interface to the transmission system.

** All turbines are equipped with shut-down features to avoid damage at high wind speeds.

Pretty impressive.

But it’s not as if wind turbines are without flaws. They do, in fact, have a few negative effects on the environment.

One is sight pollution. Wind turbines are very visible and unsightly because they must be put in proximity to windy, open terrain to be useful.

Wind turbines also require a great deal of energy in their manufacture. This energy is typically fossil-based, and it can take up to five years before wind tunnels are positive in terms of total carbon emissions.

Wind turbines also are linked to the mauling of wildlife – birds have been mutilated as they passed through the turbine fans during migration.

Despite the downsides, however, wind turbines are and should be a choice when devising a broad plan for renewable energy.

For one thing, wind turbines are amazingly efficient. They generate power from a natural, eco-friendly renewable resource, without the hidden social or environmental penalties that we incur with the use of fossil fuels.

There is no need to mine for fuel or to transport it; there are no global warming pollutants created and no need to store, process or dispose of toxic wastes. Wind turbines are clean and green. They don’t create the carbon dioxide emissions that are causing greenhouse gases or the acidic emissions that cause acid rain.

And as with photovoltaic solar power generation, there might be rebates available for construction of wind turbines, and excess energy can be sold back to the power company.

Small wonder, then, that the public application of wind power has gotten widespread attention.

But one has to wonder: Is it possible, in this high-tech age, to return to simpler times?

Is there potentially an even better use of this gift from Mother Nature, better than the massive wind farms you see on TV?

Of course, there is the possibility of having your own home energy system installed – your own solar panels, your own windmill, etc. That is, that’s a possibility if you have a few thousand dollars lying around not doing anything.

But given the precarious state of the world economy at the moment, how many are willing – or can afford – to make such an investment?

Well, it just so happens there is another alternative. Much cheaper. Just as reliable. And ultimately far more satisfying.

In fact, this particular alternate use of wind power could be a financial windfall for you. Isn’t it time to eliminate your light bill altogether?

Dave Tishendorf
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/wind-turbines-here-is-something-better-750346.html

Has anyone done this? Is it complicated? Are there websites with directions? And where do you recommend that I buy solar panels?

I don’t want to go crazy with it. Maybe just do a few for the smaller rooms in my house to conserve some energy.

They are expensive to purchase and install but, the real savings comes over a period of a few years. If you decide to install, make sure you install enough so that when you are not using any electricity, that you can sell the excess electricity back to the electric co. That way the system pays for itself.

always use less power than what the panels are generating, does the electric company pay you for the excess electricity you produced?

I live in California. I know it may be different in each state.

The 3 major suppliers in California do NOT pay you for excess generation - the best you can get is a credit on your bill up to the amount of your usage. This is true for the PG&E region, as well as SCE and SDG&E. Also there will be a minimum charge for staying connected to the grid, nominally $5-10 a month, which cannot be undone by generating credit.

This being true, if you get a solar electric system, you want to size it to not quite meet your electrical needs, averaged over the year. We made the mistake of over-sizing our system, so ended up with a net credit at the end of the 2007 period. At that time, the power company said "thank you for your donation" and zeroed out the credit.

See the California Solar Initiative site below for official information.

Many people all over the world start to build their own home windmills to save power. This is an excellent idea, because when you see the outrageous utility bills, you know that something need to be done.

Some people take action, and others don’t. Some just cut their power bill by 50% while other don’t want to hear about bills anymore and choose to live off grid. Thousands of people are thinking about going off grid after a year or two. It’s just a matter of preparation.

What about you? Are you going to wait on Obama’s renewable energy plan to save money?

Honestly, I don’t know what will be the result of the new government’s green plan, but I advise you to do something to save money.

Do you realize that saving money is like earning more money?

If you can follow simple directions, you can start building your own home windmills in no time flat. It doesn’t take weeks or months to build wind turbines. All you need is a few hundreds dollars and a few days.

Do not start building a big home windmill if it’s the first time. Start with the smallest sized that are under 400 Watts. They are easier to build and also less expensive. Once you know how to build your windmill in a weekend, you can start considering the biggest sizes (1000 Watts and beyond).

If you are really on a shoestring budget, all you need is to search for the different home windmills parts in various junk yards. You will get everything, from the batteries to the tower for less than $300.

It is important to know that choosing a high tower will enable you to capturing more wind. If you are not sure or don’t want to find the parts yourself, you can choose to go with a ready made starter kit.

Franck Silvestre
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/create-a-home-windmill-in-under-300-now-756477.html

Many people all over the world start to build their own home windmills to save power. This is an excellent idea, because when you see the outrageous utility bills, you know that something need to be done.

Some people take action, and others don’t. Some just cut their power bill by 50% while other don’t want to hear about bills anymore and choose to live off grid. Thousands of people are thinking about going off grid after a year or two. It’s just a matter of preparation.

What about you? Are you going to wait on Obama’s renewable energy plan to save money?

Honestly, I don’t know what will be the result of the new government’s green plan, but I advise you to do something to save money.

Do you realize that saving money is like earning more money?

If you can follow simple directions, you can start building your own home windmills in no time flat. It doesn’t take weeks or months to build wind turbines. All you need is a few hundreds dollars and a few days.

Do not start building a big home windmill if it’s the first time. Start with the smallest sized that are under 400 Watts. They are easier to build and also less expensive. Once you know how to build your windmill in a weekend, you can start considering the biggest sizes (1000 Watts and beyond).

If you are really on a shoestring budget, all you need is to search for the different home windmills parts in various junk yards. You will get everything, from the batteries to the tower for less than $300.

It is important to know that choosing a high tower will enable you to capturing more wind. If you are not sure or don’t want to find the parts yourself, you can choose to go with a ready made starter kit.

Franck Silvestre
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/create-a-home-windmill-in-under-300-now-756477.html

I know that many of you will think that they can’t do it. Nope. Building your own windmill isn’t complicated when you have the right tools, and the right knowledge.

Why would you want to use the wind to create your own electricity?

Because the economy is not well right now, and energy costs are rising at an impressive rate. I don’t know for you, but I prefer keeping my hard earned money for vacation and other things that I like to do.

When you learn how to build a windmill, you can easily save more than sixty percent on your electricity bill.

You will find everything you need in yards for less than $250. If it’s your first time and you have more money to spend than time, you can just add a couple of thousands of dollars and buy a ready-made starter kit. This will cost you a little more, but you won’t need to go to yards.

Many people want to cut down their electric bill, but are not willing to learn how to build a windmill. they think that they can’t do it, or they have the wrong information.

When you learn how to build a windmill for the first time, it’s better to start a building a medium 500 Watts windmill. I don’t advise to start with the bigger ones (1000 Watts and more) right from the start. While you are not going to cut your entire power bill with a unique 500 Watts windmill, it is a good way to taste the water. Later on, you will be able to build several other wind turbines to save more.

Franck Silvestre
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/build-a-windmill-in-few-easy-steps-756455.html