Solar and Wind Energy

Whether you enjoy the tranquillity of living in an outlying area, adhere to the principles of simple living, or are a passionate environmental activist, there is alternative energy solution available to suit your lifestyle.

In fact, once transformed by today’s ingenious power systems, the energy provided by the sun and wind can supply enough electricity to feed several household appliances. These systems represent sources of clean energy designed to provide greater energy independence than generators or propane solutions.
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Application Examples and Limitations
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Application Examples and Limitations

Energy from the sun and wind may be converted into the electricity required to operate various basic systems and appliances within the home or at the cottage. What’s more, portable solar power production units are now available for use on camping trips and onboard certain vehicles, such as RVs and boats.

Alternative energy may be used to operate the following:
  • Radios, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, interior and exterior lighting;
  • Certain low-consumption household appliances;
  • Water pumps, electric fences, irrigation systems and other agricultural equipment;
  • Computers, communication devices and other portable devices.

Solar or wind energy may be used alone, in an “autonomous system”, or used in combination with one another or with other energy sources (such as a diesel powered generator) to create a “hybrid system”.

In theory, though it may be possible to install enough hardware and batteries for an autonomous solar or wind energy system to provide all the electricity needed to operate the designated appliances, one must keep in mind that typically; when the sun is shining, there is little wind, and when it’s windy, there is little sun.

Given these conditions, installations using a single source of energy will require more hardware and increased storage capacity in order to compensate for the periods when the natural resource is lacking or non-existent. Cost is also a factor. In many cases where homeowners are looking to generate a more constant flow of electricity, the cost of installing the additional equipment may prove prohibitive and it is recommended that the investment instead be made in a second source of energy – thereby creating a hybrid system.

What’s more, certain applications are simply not designed to work with solar or wind energy systems and require other energy sources. Though solar and wind energy systems may be adequate for the applications listed above, they are not designed to supply power to high-consumption appliances such as washers, dryers and stoves. These types of applications typically require the use of a backup system, which is only operated during short peak-requirement periods. For example, propane may be used to operate the stove while a generator is used to supply power to the washing machine. There are also high-efficiency refrigerators and freezers designed for use with solar or wind systems.
Unfortunately, the electricity produced by solar and wind energy systems is not designed for high-consumption applications such as heating and hot water systems, and alternative sources (such as propane, natural gas and wood) must be considered for these applications.

This being said, passive solar energy may be used to effectively warm the home and the water within the home. This helps reduce the amount of energy needed to complete the heating process and allows you to save on energy costs.

Finally, energy from the ground (often called geothermal) may provide another interesting solution. It may be used to heat the home, and the water within the home, while cooling the home’s interior during the summer months.

Of course, some might say that a single generator could be used to handle several of the previously mentioned applications but the fact is: a generator consumes fuel, creates pollution and, most importantly, makes a lot of noise. Why start and run a powerful generator when all you want to do is watch television or provide enough light for reading? The use of photovoltaic or wind systems will not only help you save on fuel costs, it will spare your eardrums and help extend the life of your generator.
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