Good article.

May I add a few things. First I firmly believe in avoiding the pitfall we so commonly find ourselves in…feel the need to make choices. Why do we do this to ourselves time and again?

Why must it be ether wind or solar. Why not some of each? Not just vanilla or chocolate but a bit of each please.

You know I also reside in N. Idaho and wind is available here, I agree. But it is wise to erect a wind monitor for months on end to truly determine if it is practical to invest into such a thing. We have wind up here all night, long after the sun has gone down. Sure a wind turbine can produce some A/C at ten miles per hour but to reach the peak output rating will require twice that speed to almost three times. Then it must be consistent. Up and down wind speeds will result in up and down amperage/wattage supplies. Electric stuffs burns up under said conditions very quickly.

To tame that issue one needs a charge controller converting the A/C into D/C then into batteries which you then run off of have a consistent level power supply from. Sadly though we also have to many very sunny days with zero wind on tap or just a light breeze. Many a snowy winter day here there is no wind. Snow also boosts the output of solar as the reflection increases the light received and the colder air temps increase the conductivity of the equipment and reduces the power losses due to resistance of a hot summer day.

Thus solar is the other super hero which can save the day. It produces D/C power into batteries and then you have some power stored after the solar goes to bed at sundown. A small dose of both will cost more but if what you are truly looking for is dependable daily/nightly power going into storage batteries it is just about required.

The A/C turbine does need to be able to dump it’s power so if you are off the grid or it is down you must be able to stop the turbine if you can not use the power or have a large heat sink to dump it into. Being able to shut down the turbine is good when those 50 mph storms blow thru….

Just a bit of follow up thoughts to a well written article. Good job Barb

“It is cheaper to save energy than make energy”

Any renewable energy system that is installed should have extra capacity and be able to convert water into hydrogen which will be used to power a hydrogen generator as a back-up power source.

We should install a renewable energy system that utilizes solar & wind, when possible add geothermal to the mix.

A design is needed for a renewable energy system that can generate electricity and heat water with a step down mixer allowing the system to provide water hot enough for radiant heating and at the same time utilize a step down mixing valve to reduce the water temperature to be able its use for hot water in normal consumption.

A thermal renewable energy system may be able to provide both.

Prior to sizing up a renewable energy system, an energy audit should be conducted and energy efficiency recommendations should be implemented, that includes changing habits in utilizing energy and utilities in general.

Habitual changes can save between 20 to 50% of energy & utility consumption.
When people are considerate not to waste, they save resources and money.

YJ Draiman, Energy/Utility Analyst

“It is cheaper to save energy than make energy”

Any renewable energy system that is installed should have extra capacity and be able to convert water into hydrogen which will be used to power a hydrogen generator as a back-up power source.

We should install a renewable energy system that utilizes solar & wind, when possible add geothermal to the mix.

A design is needed for a renewable energy system that can generate electricity and heat water with a step down mixer allowing the system to provide water hot enough for radiant heating and at the same time utilize a step down mixing valve to reduce the water temperature to be able its use for hot water in normal consumption.

A thermal renewable energy system may be able to provide both.

Prior to sizing up a renewable energy system, an energy audit should be conducted and energy efficiency recommendations should be implemented, that includes changing habits in utilizing energy and utilities in general.

Habitual changes can save between 20 to 50% of energy & utility consumption.
When people are considerate not to waste, they save resources and money.

YJ Draiman, Energy/Utility Analyst

smart people interested in making positive changes, they need this information if they don’t already have

it.

i find this ,very happy.

thanks.i like it.and you?
please.