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| Radiant Floor | Solar Heated Water | Solar Electricity | Micro Hydro | Wind Energy |
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Click on pictures for a larger view Grid-Connection System
Basic Parts Of A Wind Electric System
To see the N.C. Annual Average Wind Power click on picture
Click your county to find Wind Power Class.
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Wind Energy Wind power generation in Western North Carolina is very possible. We have many ridges and mountain tops with adequate yearly average wind speeds. Basic concerns: Is the wind class at level 3 or more? (See wind map for your location) -are there any local zoning restrictions to comply with (ridge project limitations, tower height (typically 60 to 100), neighborhood covenants etc.? -do I have a non-turbulent air flow at least 30 above any obstructions ( buildings and trees ) with in 300 ( especially in the direction of the prevailing wind direction from NW to N ) -Distance from tower site to system controls can be limited by the needed turbine size and its voltage out put. The 3 10 KW wind turbines can be placed as far as 2000 from the controls, where as the smaller wind turbines (less than 3 KW) are best placed within 300 from the controls. The compromises to be considered are those made between wire sizes, energy loss and tower location. The energy generated can be stored as electricity in batteries or converted into heated water or fed directly to the grid (net metering required). Depending on the application, a hybrid system with a wind turbine and solar electric system is a great combination: In the winter when the solar gain is limited, the winds are stronger and in the summer when the wind power is limited, the solar gain is increased. 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 American Wind Energy Association Batteries Inverters Wind turbines
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