I'm diving into the world of solar panels and alternative energy, and I've recently designed a house that will be getting a 22kW solar panel system. The homeowners are really keen on adding wind turbines to enhance their energy setup. Despite my research suggesting that wind turbines may not significantly boost efficiency, they want to proceed. I'm wondering if it's better to connect the turbines to the batteries or straight to the inverter? Also, do you have any turbine recommendations? What potential downsides should I watch out for? Any advice in layman's terms would be much appreciated as I feel a bit out of my depth here.
3 Answers
Just keep in mind safety and installation logistics. You’ll need to make sure you have enough space and the right equipment to put those towers up, especially if you run into extreme weather. Choosing the right turbine is key - avoid cheap imports as they can be trouble. And consider mentioning a small pilot installation before scaling up, it could save them a lot of headaches!
Integrating wind with solar can definitely be a challenge. If you're thinking of adding wind turbines, remember that they typically need to be quite large and set up properly to actually yield significant returns. A small turbine isn't likely to meet the output dreams of your clients, especially with a robust solar system in place. It's better to go big with the wind turbines or skip it altogether!
Exactly! If they’re expecting high power output similar to their solar setup, they might be disappointed if they don't invest in quality turbines.
You'll want a good charge controller specifically for the wind turbine, ideally in parallel with the solar charge controller. This can get pricey, but it's worth it in areas where wind is consistent, especially at night or during cloudy weather. If your installation area has reliable winds (like the Gorge), have them consider testing out a smaller turbine first to see how things perform before going all in!
That's a solid plan! Testing it first can really help gauge if it’s worth the investment.
Absolutely! A pilot installation is a smart route, and getting the right equipment is crucial for success.