This community information site 'page' that is placed up to assist you in the event that you are interested in an alternative power source and do not know where to begin. I simply seek to assist you in finding your way, be you a home owner needing a little self-sufficient power in these uncertain times, or a group of fishermen living in a coastal village who would like to invest in a community alternative power system so as to be able to freeze lobsters or fish fillets each day before sending them away to market, and to also be able to use the electricity to pump water from a well and have a light or two. The main reason for this 'Paper' is to assist you into becoming 'personally informed' and able to decide what you need and to become more self-sufficient, because electricity supplies will become more unreliable in many places and you also may live in a place where there is none available. In either event these pages will assist you in what you need to know, being the basics for an alternative power 'system' and the approximate costs involved. Pricing 1 - A 'system' can consist of as little as Aud$ 250, consisting of one truck battery and one small 20 watt solar panel, a regulator and a couple of wires connected to a single 25 watt light bulb. If the battery has a capacity of 90 amps = 60 usable* amps x 12v = 720 watts of energy = 720 divided by 25 (power consumption of 12v light bulb per hour) = 30 hours of light or, 7 hours of light using two 12v x 50 watt bulbs etc. However, your consumption must not exceed the amount your solar panel is replacing each day, and if there is only 10 hours of sun x 20 watts = 200 watts input, your 25 watt bulb could be used for 8 hours. You may of course use a larger watt solar panel, 60 or 100 watt capacity or multiples if you wish to. Note: 60 usable* amps - if you used up all the 90 amps energy in the battery each day then you would destroy the battery within a month or so. It is best to always use less than its capacity. Example, a deep cycle battery is one with 900 lives so to speak, meaning that it can be 'drained' considerably each day and not suffer as much as a normal vehicle battery but, - - - If you have a big battery storage capacity so that you never use more than 20% of its total energy stored each day, then a deep cycle battery may last you 20 + years. The same battery delivering up 80% of its capacity each day may only last you 4-6 years. 2 - A 'system' - If you wish to have a fridge, freezer, lights, washing machine, TV and computer facility or more, then a 'system' can consist of a 20 panel solar array giving 1,600 watts of energy per hour of sunlight, a 400 - 1000 watt wind turbine for the windy rainy days when there is no sun, and a 1000 amp hr x 24 v battery system having a 1,500 watt inverter to convert stored battery power into 240 v electricity. This with associated turbine tower, solar array supports etc., could cost Aud $ 25,000 or more. So it is simply a matter for you to decide how much electricity you will need to consume per day and how much 'money' you wish to spend. To run a ‘full house’ as given below one would need an average daily input of electricity of approximately 500 watts per hour or 12,000 watts per day. Fridge - freezer - washing machine - small microwave – computer – television - power tools - water pump - bread maker – lights, etc. So once you decide what you have available in funds, then a system to suit your 'coat' can be given. The following information is to assist you in your decision making, and if you wish me to supply and export any items to you then simply send a letter or an email to: Wind Turbines This article is written in an attempt to aid the home user who seeks to become self sufficient in electric power, as well as having an 'alternate' water pumping facility, and to raise self-sufficiency 'alternative power' awareness. I limit my expression to the smaller units for homes, farms and small communities. Remember, a 500 watt/hr capacity turbine will only deliver that power a 25 mph wind speed. In reality, with lower “average” daily winds it may only be “delivering” a fraction of its rated power. As all will soon see, the new way will be “Electricity” that will shunt aside all “fumes” that abide in this atmosphere as to God’s “clear way” all draw near. There are many of you who will ahead seek to be true, and as you land acquire you will elevate your way higher and build homes with “renewable energy” in your sight, and thus I this ”beginners” page do write. Clean & green & gold is the new way. Wind turbines are a powerful and useful part of any major home power system. For when it is night time or if it rains for a day or a week then solar panels cease their production of electrical current, but at night or in the wind and rain the wind turbine excels and it can produce a large amount of electrical energy at a far less cost that solar power. Generally speaking, for home or farm if one can afford it one would purchase a 1200 watt per hour capacity wind turbine costing around AUD (Australian) $4000, this machine would produce that amount of energy at its optimum that is attained at an approximate 25 mph wind speed. More wind speed could increase this 'wattage' by 20% or so, but if the wind was much lower at say 12 mph, then a turbine of this capacity would deliver only 400 watts of current per hour to your battery bank. Wind turbines need at least 5 mph wind to begin their generating output. A smaller 400 watt per hour capacity turbine costing AUD (Australian) $1200, also attains its capacity at approx 25 - 30 mph wind speed, but at a 12 mph wind speed it might deliver only 140 watts of current per hour. With the above in mind, it is better to opt for the larger machine if possible. The other factors of great relevance is that one needs to understand that wind is like water, in that as it 'streams' along in the sky it can be subjected to interference from the 'ground' that will cause it to slow down or to 'tumble' like water passing over rapids. This takes place in proximity to trees, homes, or other obstructions, thus it is of importance to have your machine elevated as high as possible above the ground, for the higher you go the greater the speed of the wind, and the less the machine will be subjected to turbulence that not only slows it down but also causes undue stress to its components. 25 metres is usually a good height. Calculate your daily power consumption needs against a turbine output operating at a 8metre/sec wind speed (18 mph) and you’ll be fairly “safe,” as you will have an 50% “spare” more current capacity capability to charge emptying batteries as the wind speed increases to the 10 - 14 m/s speeds, enabling the unit to give its full power output. For not only does a wind turbine or solar array need to have the “inherent” capacity to supply the never ending daily output, but if this supply need is diminished due to lack of sun or wind then the power supply “mechanism” be it the turbine or solar modules need to have a charging capacity of twice the daily input requirement so as to be able to not only continue the daily supply needs, but to also “catch up” and fill up the battery bank ready for the “next” windless days. There are many different types of wind turbines available to purchase, and some are better than others, and some are less inclined to need repair than others. The Bergey is a quality machine that is designed and manufactured by the Bergey brothers that 'developed' the Piper aircraft corporation, and their expertise has enabled them to deliver a unique, high tech, and reliable wind turbine that I believe is the best on the market today, and if you are considering a long life alternative power source then I recommend it.
Here is the Bergey Excel - 10 kw. The smaller 1000 watt Bergey XL1 is the best unit for the average family home unit, and it provides enough power for lights, radio, television, fan, water pumps, kitchen appliances, microwave oven, washing machine, fridge, freezer, fax, computer, TV satellite dish, power tools etc., an ideal homestead unit. Coupled to a 24 v battery bank and using a 24v - 240 v inverter it can run all normal 240 v appliances. All components are made from the highest quality materials to withstand long term wear and fatigue. Bergey XL.1
2.5 m (8.2 ft.) Diameter 1000 W at 11 m/s (25 mph) - peak output 1300 watts 5.2 kWh / Day Nominal A select wind
generator being an attractive,
reliable
Note: As solar panels are limited to sunlight hours, it follows that wind turbines have more than twice the amount of time each day to be delivering electricity to your alternative power system. The 'modern' wind generators are designed to be most energy productive at wind speeds in the 15 - 30 mph range. Below 10 mph they produce relatively little power. At wind speeds above 35 mph they 'furl' to avoid structural damage as well as to avoid over speeding and exceeding the generator capabilities. On furling "out of wind," they will lose some of their power output. The windmill exposes a 'huge' windage area to the flow of air as the blade "area" is positioned out on the perimeter of the arc, and thus with its greater "leverage" is power 'productive' from wind speeds as low as 2 mph, but needs to 'furl' at about 18mph wind speed to avoid structural damage, and due to their need to limit the strokes/min action of the bore 'pumping' stroke they are so 'governed.' (30spm). Their maximum 'fan' revolutions at wind speed of 15 mph are about 100rpm. Thus giving a 'relatively' quiet operation in modern units. At present these low wind speed 'powerhouses' are not manufactured for electricity generation. Inverters -
True 'sine~~wave' Inverters are appliances that “convert” DC electrical current stored in batteries as 12v or 24v or 48v DC current into 240v AC or 110v AC current for home appliances. The “form” of the electrical “wave” created in the output AC side varies with the different types of inverters manufactured. There are “square” wave and “Sine” wave inverters available. Square & modified square wave units can be safely used in many electrical appliances, e.g.; workshop tools and equipment and Tv. But any inverter that is not a true “Sine” wave will damage some electrical “boards” and may “blow” fridge/freezer automatic switches over time. For any given “output” capacity, the sine wave will give a far better performance. Square waves are “rough” and “jagged” and sine waves are “smooth.” Square wave inverters cost half the price of a sine wave, and “semi” sine or “modified” square wave units about 75% of the sine wave unit. From my personal experience I can only “suggest” that you purchase a true sine wave inverter if you are going to “power” a computer, audio equipment, freezer etc without “worry.” Notes on Inverters A 12v or 24v 1400w or 2000watt continuous flow inverter will power all the needs of a home ( fridge, freezer, bread baker, Tv, washing machine, computer, fax, vacuum cleaner etc). It would also run a small workshop with drill, band saw, and other tools. You can these days purchase a 12v fridge or freezer wired direct to the battery bank, this uses less power as the electricity does not go through the inverter, for there is a 20% + “loss of useable stored power” when inverting the current from 12v to 240v through an inverter. Remember, if your solar modules or wind turbine are “wired” 12v, then your inverter must also be a 12v one. If wired 24v, then the inverter must be a 24v unit. So when ordering the wind turbine or inverter you must specify as to whether the battery bank is to be 'wired' 12v or 24v etc. Inverter power output capacity. You will see the words “continous & surge” e.g.; 1000W continuous, this means that the amount of power the inverter can supply flowing though it from appliances on a continuous basis is 1000 watts. When electrical appliances are switched “on” there is a surge of current that may be 4 times greater for a split second than its “running” usage, thus an inverter can surge for a few minutes to accommodate this sudden temporary increase each time a freezer switches on, or you switch on the vacuum cleaner. So a 1600W inverter may have a surge capacity of 5000 Watts for a few minutes. All manufacturers give “5 minute surge capacity” & “30 minute capacity” & “continuous capacity.” *Note, “Welding off inverters is frequently done,” but it is not recommended as it can cause damage over time due to the initial “arcing.” It is better to weld directly off the battery bank using a “resistance” system to “lessen” the current flow. You can also weld direct off a large vehicle alternator. Ask your local electrician to help you with this process or surf the net for the answer. A true ~ Sine Wave ~ output allows noise free operation of appliances and audio equipment. Solar panels (PV modules) Solar modules create electricity and need light, preferably direct sunlight as they cannot operate properly if they become shaded by trees. On cloudy days they can still put out about 20% of their rated power output. Solar modules are the best solution on small home blocks. A combination of solar & wind is good, for there are times when its windy with no sun and other times when its sunny with no wind. The most common 'sizes' of solar modules are 10 watts to 200 watts per hour output. There are two 'basic' types of solar modules, the 'crystalline' silicon cells that are encapsulated behind glass, and the 'Amorphous' silicon that are 'layered' onto thin stainless steel sheets. Due to the inherent 'design' of crystalline modules, they are more subject to power loss from partial 'shading' than the amorphous ones. |
