Combine Solar, Wind, and Hydro power for the strongest system
This is a false debate about solar power versus wind power verus hyro electric or turbine power. We all want all the power we can get, any way we can get it! That is my mantra with the only power limiting factor being that I do not want to ruin the environment in the process. The big environmental risk alternative energy systems are to my mind wind and hydro or mini turbines.
Wind turbines shine in storms, and when solar gets shut down.
We can kill creatures with these alternative energy technologies and that is never a good thing in my animal loving mind.
Solar power may not be the most efficient use of resources and will take a fairly long time to pay back at today’s power rates, but at least it is a benign technology. Wind and hydro are not so benign but can be made much more so with some care during installation. Looking at the advantages of solar power versus the other alternative technologies, here are some positives:
Solar power is noiseless.
It will not kill anything other than the grass beneath the panels
Solar power panels are 25 year guaranteed and maintenance free.
Solar power systems are easily installed without experts or unusual danger.
Solar power can be installed almost anywhere.
Solar power works during the day for as much as 16 hours sometimes.
Solar power can be used with only once per week maintenance
Wind power advantages are:
Wind power is cheap per kilowatt hour
When Solar power is not producing with cloud cover, wind power can produce
Wind power is very low maintenance with a proper system
Wind power will operate for almost as long as solar without replacement
Wind power can produce very high power density in the right environment
Wind power can be installed by DIY, though it is often installed by experts.
Wind power systems can be installed inexpensively and not cost a lot per kilowatt hour produced.
Hydro power for those with a suitable stream, is the best power source for constant power.
Hydro Electric or Mini-Turbines offer some great advantages:
Turbine power systems can provide continuous around the clock power
It is a predictable level of constant power
Power density can be very high
The expense can be very small.
Hydro power or mini-turbines can be installed by a do it yourselfer but it is not simple or easy.
Hydro power is proven.
The disadvantages of both wind and hydro power are significant. We will review the problems with both wind turbines and hydroelectric power in the next article.