With fossil fuels dwindling and energy rates spiking, more and more people are becoming interested in energy independence. You may well be interested, too, but before you can set out to create your own energy you need to understand your energy making choices. The two most viable do-it-yourself options for creating energy at home are solar and wind. This short article will look at this pair of renewable energy systems from a Do-it-yourself point of view, focusing on the construction, usability, and reliability of each one.
Constructing Your Power Source
Building a wind turbine or an array of solar panels is definitely something that the average homeowner can do. You've got a couple of constructing choices. The first, and least difficult, option is to get a wind generator or solar panel kit. With these kits, both projects become simple assembly jobs. You do not need to fabricate anything at all, nor do you need to purchase any extra components. Neither project will be particularly challenging, and you will be able to complete whichever one you select in a day or two.
The next solution is to buy a set of plans that walk you through the steps involved in building a power source by yourself. If you select this approach, you will have some shopping to do, and shopping for solar cells is much less difficult than shopping for wind turbine motors. You'll almost certainly be buying brand new cells, and you can't really go wrong with whichever ones you obtain, within reason.
Shopping for a suitable turbine motor, on the other hand, is more challenging. This is because you must have some understanding of what types of motors work best for wind generators. For example, you'll want a motor that creates high output at low RPMs. Furthermore, some brands of motors, like Ametek, perform far better than others for this particular kind of project. Additionally, you'll most likely be buying an used motor, out of an old treadmill, for example, which adds a certain degree of difficulty and uncertainty to your project. Building a wind turbine is still very doable, however. You just have a little more homework to do before assembly.
Solar panels are not very customizable. They are essentially just rectangular structures with solar cells placed on them. Wind generators, in contrast, can be very customized. For instance, those who take pleasure in shaping wood sometimes craft their own custom blades, many of which are incredibly artistic and time consuming to fabricate. Those who have fun with metalworking oftentimes experiment with different gearing ratios and flywheel mounting methods. Of course, it's not necessary to do any of those things. You can simply purchase new or used components that are designed to work together--it's up to you.
Power Source Functionality
Solar panels provide a more consistent and dependable source of energy compared to wind turbines. This is because the sun rises and sets each day, without exception. On cloudy days there may be marginally less useable solar energy to harness, but it is still there for your taking. Wind, on the other hand, is not continually present, and, even when it is around, the usable energy it brings with it can vary greatly, from way too much to almost none at all. That is not to say that wind isn't a good way to obtain power, though. You simply have to be in the right location to take advantage of its advantages, while the energy of the sun can be harnessed from just about anywhere.
Power System Dependability
Solar panels are more reliable than wind turbines. This is primarily due to the fact that solar panels don't have any moving parts, which means they're rarely in need of repair or maintenance. Wind turbines, on the other hand, have an electric motor and a gearing system that are constantly spinning, which makes them far more susceptible to damage caused by wear and tear. In addition, wind generator blades are under the regular force of the wind, which, over time, can cause them to weaken and crack. Although solar panels are generally more dependable than wind generators, it ought to be noted that both are reliable, and a correctly built wind turbine can last for many years without damage or failure.
Which DIY power system is best for you?
Which system is the most suitable for you is determined by two things, your interests and your location. If you're not in a suitable setting for a wind turbine then the answer is apparent, a solar system is better in your case. Aside from that, it just depends on which power source, and project, you think is more interesting; some are fascinated by wind turbines, while others like the simplicity of solar panels. Remember, as well, that solar panels and wind turbines function exceptionally well together, so, if you want, you can complete both projects and, eventually, have a power producing system that's capable of working 24 hours a day and in just about all weather conditions.
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