Our Green Dream Home

Solar systems

Figuring out what components are involved in putting in a solar system can be the most daunting of task.  If you are like me, I want to have some knowledge so I can get the best bang for my buck.  Also you need to have some base knowledge just so you know what your solar contractor is talking about.

Your basic components are:

• Solar Panels – PV (photovoltaic) panels, Panels that take sunlight and turn it into electricity
  1. Home Power Magazine is full of detailed information in regards to solar/wind/solar water systems
  2. The link below is to the Home Power’s solar-electrical module guide

 http://www.homepower.com/article/?file=HP121_pg70_Schwartz

• DC inverter – solar panels produce DC current our homes run on AC current, this component convert the electricity for use. 
  1. There are two types of DC inverters 
     • Pure sine – This type of inverter give you a constant stream of electricity that is necessary for appliances, computers, TVs and so on.  Most expensive
     • Regular DC/AC inverters – The electrical stream fluctuates – Least expensive
  2. To use the best of both worlds, you could run separate lines for items, say plug-in and light switches. You will need to look at the projected cost of the inverter compared to the electricians cost.
• Disconnect – All systems where they are attached to your local electric company (net metering) or off the grid (stand alone) will need to have a disconnect.  These protect the system in case of power surges.  Most utility company require an accessible disconnect for when their worker on working on the local lines.  If you have a PV system one may need to be placed between the panels and the rest of the system to protect it in case of a lightening strike.  Check with your local utility company/county to see what their requirements are.

If you are going to be tied to the grid, you will probably not use a battery bank, but if you are a stand alone system you will want this. 

Wind systems

 We have decided to go with a Skystream 3.75.  For a residentail system it will be the best bang for the buck!

http://www.skystreamenergy.com/

• Wind systems contain the same components as the Solar system. 
  1. The link below is to the Home Power’s Wind Turbine buyer’s guide

http://www.homepower.com/article/?file=HP119_pg34_Sagrillo http://www.homepower.com/article/?file=HP119_pg34_Sagrillo http://www.homepower.com/article/?file=HP119_pg34_Sagrillo http://www.homepower.com/article/?file=HP119_pg34_Sagrillo http://www.homepower.com/article/?file=HP119_pg34_Sagrillo 

• How high should your wind turbine tower be:
  According to the experts, the bottom of a wind generator’s blades should beat least 30 feet above the tallest obstacle within 500 feet—be it a tree, building, or ridge. For example, if the mature height of a grove of trees that sit 300 feet from your proposed tower site is 60 feet, the minimum height to the bottom of the rotor is 90 feet (60 + 30). For a wind turbine with 6-foot blades, the minimum tower height would be 96 feet (6 + 90).
  This rule applies to most locations, but not all. One exception is if you plan to site your turbine near an abrupt change in height of a continuous obstacle, such as a cliff or dense forest next to a field. In this case,
  you should allow not 500 feet, but 0.6 miles (1 km) for the “edge effect” to subside. Your tower must be tall enough to at least meet the 30/500 rule. Violating this rule will put your generator in turbulent, low-speed
  wind, resulting in lower energy output, and increased wear and tear on the wind turbine from turbulent winds

• In a recent presentation I attended Ed Bagley Jr stated that Wind power is actually cheaper than solar. 

This diagram was from the Home Power's wind system artical listed above. 

Combining Solar and Wind

• I want to run both types of energy generators at our new home.  Solar for the day, and wind at night.
• I have not been able to find a single DC inverter that will covert the current from both 

**  The most comprehensive information that I have found on these subjects is the Home Power Magazine

           http://www.homepower.com/home/