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| Radiant Floor | Solar Heated Water | Solar Electricity | Micro Hydro | Wind Energy |
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Micro Hydro The power of falling water can be converted into electricity. The fall is called head, and with as little as 4’ of head and 600 GPM it is possible to produce 6 KWhrs/day. Basic concerns: - Local zoning restrictions and / or neighborhood covenants - To determine the lowest flow (typically in august / September) for calculating the minimum out put. - Impact on creek / river environments - Flash flooding provisions - Distance from generator to system controls. Micro hydro installations are the least expensive pr. Watt, but also require the most maintenance. A hybrid system with hydro and solar is a great combination in the Western North Carolina area. In the winter when the solar gain is limited the creeks are the fullest, and in the summer when the creeks are running low the solar gain is maximized. The battery-storage solutions is primarily for standby back-up, remote homes , cabins or other applications where the electric power grid is not near by or feasible to install . The advantage to the battery-storage is the option to always having electric energy available and be your own power producer. Being on your own also requires more interaction with the system and it becomes important to be able to oversee the different aspects of maintenance and monitoring. Grid tied systems can be with or without a storage battery and the grid either becomes a receiver of all the power that you produce and / or a back up for the battery system. Direct grid tie systems require a net metering agreement with the utility company that normally would provide the electricity to your home. (Contact your local provider for updated information on net metering with them or visit NC State University Solar Center for more information about net metering and Green Power).
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Links General Info NC State University Solar Center National Renewable Energy Laboratory Hydro Batteries Inverters
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