Choosing Between Wind And Solar Power Systems

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical power that runs a generator to produce clean electricity. There are several things that you should keep in mind if you intend to invest in wind and solar energy. Firstly, your property must have a good wind resource and you will have to check with your local government to make sure that tall towers are allowed in your area. Wind energy systems are one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems. Depending on your wind resources, a small wind energy system can lower your electricity bill by 50% to 90% and help you avoid the high costs of having utility power lines extended to remote locations, prevent power interruptions and pollution.

"Solar electric" is the term used to describe something which uses sun power to produce electricity. Solar photovoltaic tiles and other forms of solar energy work by converting some of the energy in sunlight into a clean form of electricity. Solar power is a good power source if you have a sufficient southern exposure and live in an urban area. Solar electric power can be used to provide domestic hot water, swimming pool heating and electricity for lights and appliances. Even your central heating can be solar electric if you have adequate roof space for solar panels and an adequate amount of sun. An efficiently solar powered home will be able to reasonably create between 75% and 100% of their own power because of the grid tie system. This means your utility bills will be significantly reduced.

When choosing between wind and solar power, you should determine how much electricity you need or want to produce and what works for you, economically. If your wind source is low or tall towers are not permitted in your area, then your best bet is to install solar panels. As a bonus, technology in the solar industry is rapidly advancing and the components are becoming much cheaper. Keep in mind that installing more roof top modules beyond a certain point ceases to be cost effective. However, if you live in a rural location that is heavily shaded, then wind power may be your best choice.

No matter which system you choose, wind and solar power offers significant environmental benefits for everyone. They reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted into the air, thus improving air quality. It does this by reducing the amount of electricity that is produced by the use polluting fuels. If we all make an effort to create more energy efficient buildings, then we can save our environment and ensure that there is a renewable power source for future generations.