subject: Alternative Power Systems Review [print this page] We've utilizing solar and wind power for thousands of years and now is not the time to stop as fossil fuels grow rarer and rarer. Many homeowners are considering to install, if they haven't already, alternative power systems. These include solar panels and wind turbines, as well as other systems, which create electricity usable by the homeowner.
The Solar Panel
Solar panels are created up of solar cells that turn sunlight into usable electricity. It's a much easier method of electricity generation than most other systems as it requires very little maintenance in comparison and can last for several decades. This is due to the lack of moving parts. The productivity of the solar panels are determined by their size and the weather, but general rule of thumb is that the larger the panel, the better the electricity production.
While costly in their larger sizes, they're efficient and function even on cloudy days. All in all, they're the preferred option for homeowners and aren't unsightly, unlike the wind turbine, which is an issue for some. The solar panels can be used to power the lighting or certain appliances or more if there's enough electricity. Some users opt to charge deep cycle batteries for later use.
The Wind Turbine
More costly and considerably larger than solar panels, wind turbines in turn generate a lot more electricity. They have moving parts and may create some noise and will require regular maintenance to prevent future issues. Unfortunately, the costs will only grow once a turbine is purchased, as you may need to call out a qualified technician to repair it if it goes wrong. However, some of the costs can be reclaimed by hooking the turbine into the power grid and selling the electricity back to a suitable company.
There are two models of wind turbine. The mast-mounted turbine is very productive, but larger and free-standing. Once erected in a suitable position, it can generate up to 6kW of power. The roof-mounted turbine generates only up to a third of that (2kW). I have personally managed to build my own home DIY renewable energy system by following an online system which you can find out more about at my website link below.
