How Wind Power Works To Lower Your Energy Costs
on Jun 28 in Lowes DIY
Many people have achieved their goal of living completely off the grid by combining wind and solar energy. Small and affordable wind generators are now available for home use, and are often combined with photovoltaic cells for generating power. There’s no question that fossil fuel costs – both in terms of out-of-pocket expenses and devastation to the environment – will continue to rise. Getting your power from the grid is only going to get more difficult. When you learn how wind power works to your advantage, you will find it’s a viable alternative to dependence on traditional energy.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are not very complicated. They are made up of three parts: rotor blades, a shaft and a generator. The rotor blades function as a propeller; when the wind blows through them, they turn the shaft, the shaft turns the generator, and then voila – a current is produced. It’s estimated that approximately 85% of all off-grid systems currently operating are utilizing solar wind energy.
A windmill can be very effective if you live in a rural area with wide open spaces and a steady, consistent supply of wind. However, how wind power works in a spot where there are obstructions to its flow, such as tall buildings or towers, is by being supplemented with solar power, and it’s this hybrid energy system may be your best option in more urban areas.
Photovoltaic Cells
A typical solar power home system consists mainly of the following components:
- Photovoltaic panels
- Charge controller module
- Inverter
- Batteries (optional)
Photovoltaic panels work by converting sunlight into an electrical current. As the current generated by this photovoltaic panel array is direct current (DC), it must be converted into alternating current (AC) in order to be usable in most houses. This is the task of the inverter.
These hybrid solar and wind power systems work together to create electricity. How wind power works to your advantage in the winter, at least in the northern hemisphere, is due to the fact that the sun’s rays are directed toward the southern hemisphere, and many days are overcast or cloudy. Then it’s possible for the wind turbine alone to supply adequate power. During the summer months, with less wind and an abundance of sunshine, the photovoltaic cells work to supplement the wind turbine.
Using a hybrid solar wind home system to generate energy gives homeowners the option of using batteries for storage. They may also choose to be “Grid-Tied” or “Net-Metered.” What this means is that your solar wind home system will not only provide energy for your home, but for the power company as well. If your system produces more energy than you use yourself, the excess energy can be sold back to the power company. When this happens, you will actually see your meter run backward. It’s for this reason that the “Net-Metered” system is the most highly recommended.
Susan Livingstone knows it’s not just possible to get inexpensive solar and wind power for your home, it’s the smart move to make. For less than $200, no experience, and a few hours work, you can be lowering or even eliminating your power bill for good. With a DIY solar wind power home system, you might even find that the power company is paying you for the excess energy you’re generating! Live off the grid. Find out more by visiting http://howtowindpower.com. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/how-wind-power-works-to-lower-your-energy-costs-992110.html
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