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A Green Electricity Comparison

Residential Solar Systems vs Home Wind Turbines

With electricity prices soaring and global warming a growing concern, there has never been a better time to invest in a residential source of green Energy. When shopping for home power generators, there is a bewildering array of options, and no one system is best for every household.

Green Energy From Residential Solar Systems

Residential Solar systems, or photovoltaic systems, are perhaps the most common and well-known sources of green energy. The ecology students who investigated this question took advantage of assignment pay by getting additional materials and papers. So they assumed that it can certainly be a good choice either as a stand-alone system or as one component of an integrated alternative energy design.

Solar panels generally involve a higher upfront cost but are durable and reliable over the long haul. It is estimated that modern photovoltaic systems can be expected to work reliably for up to 25 years or more.

Solar Panels, or the Photovoltaic Array

Solar energy is an area of intense interest in the scientific community. With both an increased awareness of the need for clean, renewable energy and an ever-growing space exploration initiative, the demand for affordable, efficient solar energy has never been higher. While there are several exciting, efficient new technologies on the rise, Residential Solar panels still usually employ one of two standard types of materials.

Typically, the key component that enables residential solar cells to transform solar energy into electricity are semiconductors such as crystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, or gallium arsenide. By using solar energy to free electrons from their atomic orbitals, each photovoltaic cell can produce, on average, slightly less than three watts. Cells are configured into modules and modules are into arrays. Residential solar arrays can usually generate an average of approximately 130 watts per square meter (10.7 ft²) of solar panels.

Photovoltaic Inverter Converts Solar Power to a Usable Form

One limitation of photovoltaic systems is that they only produce electricity in direct current, or DC power, while most households operate on alternating current or AC power. For off-grid systems, the main function of the inverter is to convert the electricity into a form that can be used by household lights and appliances. If a photovoltaic system is grid-connected, it is the inverter that feeds generated electricity into the grid.

When residential solar power systems first became available to consumers, they were severely limited by the inefficiency of early-model inverters. According to Solar Energy International, energy loss during the transformation process made these early models cumbersome and impractical. Fortunately, research and innovation have made great strides in this area, and modern designs are increasingly efficient and affordable.

Photovoltaic Storage Batteries Provide Off-Grid Energy Around the Clock

As photovoltaic cells only produce electricity when they are illuminated, many off-grid systems employ some sort of battery to store energy for use overnight or on overcast days. Lead-acid batteries are most commonly used, but nickel-cadmium batteries are considered more robust, in that they are more tolerant of heating and cooling.

It is worth noting that not all domestic photovoltaic systems employ batteries. The process of storing energy in batteries results in energy loss and therefore necessitates the use of more solar panels than would otherwise be needed. Some homeowners opt instead to use a system without batteries, using other technologies to supplement or compensate for the loss of solar energy during dark hours.

Other advantages of residential solar systems include:

  • Low maintenance: once installed, residential solar energy systems require only occasional inspections and minimal maintenance.
  • No ongoing costs: while initial outlay costs are comparatively high, once installed, residential solar systems work essentially for free.
  • No sound pollution or greenhouse gasses: residential solar systems work silently and without emissions
  • Safety: photovoltaic systems involve minimal movement and no combustible fuels, and as such are exceptionally safe compared to other alternative energy sources.

Potential Drawbacks of Solar Energy

Residential solar systems are not without their disadvantages. Photovoltaic systems are not ideal as a primary source of electricity for areas of variable solar radiation. This can include high latitudes, or areas that are often overcast. Additionally, it is unlikely a residential solar system will be able to provide all of a household's electricity needs without either a sizable initial investment or significant changes in energy consumption.

Renewable Energy From Home Wind Turbines

Probably the second most popular residential source of green energy is the home wind turbine. Wind energy, like solar, takes advantage of a natural phenomenon to produce green energy, with few costs after the initial installation.

Wind turbines can be as rustic or as sophisticated as the owners themselves, and so the costs of electricity are difficult to calculate. For example, in Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business by Paul Gipe [Chelsea Green Publishing, 2004] the author describes a handmade wind generator based on a recycled brake drum. By comparison, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) quotes prices of $6,600 to $22,000 for a commercial, professionally installed home wind turbine.

As with residential solar systems, home wind turbines come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Some of the considerable advantages of using home wind turbines to produce green energy include:

  • Potential for Easy and Affordable Set-up: Home wind turbines are a great choice for the backyard engineer, and have been known to bring out the tinkering spirit in those who are so inclined. For those who are not so inclined, there are several qualified green energy companies happy to take care of the installation.
  • Low Maintenance: Like solar panels, home wind turbines are intended to be a long-term investment. The AWEA asserts that a commercial home wind turbine can be expected to perform with minimal maintenance for at least 20 years.
  • Reduced Electricity Bills: Even for those not going fully off the grid, many families using supplementary wind turbines have reported monthly electric bills under $20.00 for most of the year.

Limitations of Home Wind Turbines

No green energy system is perfect, and home wind turbines are no exception. Larger wind turbines can make some noise, and are therefore not always an ideal choice for urban or suburban homes. They are reliant on wind movement and only produce electricity when actively turning, so a backup generator or a grid-tie system is often recommended. As with solar generators, the initial financial outlay for a commercial model can be daunting. However, both wind and solar power have the potential to pay for themselves over time in energy savings.

Comparing Electricity Sources: A Combination of Green Energy Sources Works Well

Many households find a combination of wind and solar energy works best to meet their sustainable electricity needs. The two systems tend to work well together, each offsetting the limitations of the other. The initial cost can be defrayed by adding components in a modular fashion as finances allow, or by buying a complete system and using energy savings to cover the cost of the payment.

Most importantly, whichever system is used, it will provide a reliable source of sustainable, emission-free green energy, and therefore is not only a financial investment but an ecological one as well.



This post first appeared on ExpertEasy, please read the originial post: here

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A Green Electricity Comparison

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