News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

There is an ongoing debate between renewable power supply vendors as to which source of power generation is better for residential power needs, wind or solar. An obvious factor in determining this would be which source would generate the largest amount of power for the least amount of money or investment. If a person is looking to add a personal home renewable energy option of his or her own, the following information should be of some assistance. Let us take a look at how solar and wind power are each created.

Solar power is produced by using solar panels that capture the rays from the sun and then convert this energy into electricity. To do this you require photovoltaic [PV] cells or concentrated solar power. Photovoltaics are best known as a method for generating electric power by using solar cells to convert energy from the sun into electricity. The photovoltaic effect refers to photons of light knocking electrons into a higher state of energy to create electricity. An inverter is used to convert the electricity into useable residential or commercial current.

When using concentrated solar power you are using the suns power to heat water and in turn creating energy via the stirling cycle engine, which operates a generator. This newly created power can then be utilized for immediate use or stored in an array of batteries where it can be discharged for use on cloudy days or in the evenings.
Wind energy

Wind power is produced by the propelling of blades on a wind turbine tower, which is converted, into electricity current. The blades create a hurdle that the wind must push past creating the spinning motion that in turn powers a turbine shaft that is linked to the middle of the rotor. As the blades spin, they turn the shaft, which creates energy and transfers it to an electrical generator. This newly created power can also be stored in batteries or used for immediate power needs.

The question becomes which is better for use in a residential environment. When you assess the cost of installation, the energy created, and the equipment worth over time, the wind energy unit would be your best option if you were able to install such a unit on your premises. There are a couple explanations for this conclusion. The primary reason is based on cost of initial equipment purchase, the wind turbine being less expensive to buy than several PV rooftop panels. An individual with just a minimum of DIY experience can actually construct their own backyard windmill and plans are available over the Internet.

The secondary reason for using wind energy is that it can be captured during the day or night, whenever the wind is blowing and also when it is cloud covered. This compared to solar energy, which only collects energy when the sun is shining directly at the panels.
Either solar or wind energy for a residential unit is a good idea since both will offer free electricity. There are bylaws in place in some areas, which could negate the use of one method or the other and perhaps environmental limitations requiring the use of one option over the other. Both wind and solar energy are eco friendly options for electricity generation and healthy choices to help save our planet. Often both methods of power generation are utilized at one time and hybrid devices are available.
 
To begin your venture into residential renewable power get yourself a DIY home powered wind generation unit and start saving money on electricity.