Wind Power; either a vertical wind turbine (VAWT) or horizontal wind turbine (HAWT) mounted on a pole, tower, building, or other structure.  Some wind turbines are used to pump water, but for purposes of this site, the models we are discussing are used for generating DC or AC electricity. Either they will have an inverter built-in or an inverter will be needed to produce AC electricity. (Inverters convert electricity from DC to AC).

Solar PV; photovoltaic solar modules mounted on a roof, ground rack, pole mount or roof rack that produce DC electricity that is converted (using an inverter) into AC current.  

Solar Hot Water; a solar water heating system that contains a liquid that is heated by the sun, pumped to a storage tank where the pipes containing the hot liquid heats your tap water, then circulates back to the solar panels to be re-heated.  This system can be used solely for normal hot water use or for hot water and heating purposes if you already have a boiler system.  It produces no electricity and in fact uses a small amount for the pump.  Most electric hot water heaters consume $360 to $480 per year ($30 to $40 per month) in electricity depending on the size of the heater, the heat setting, and your water usage.  The idea with this product is to reduce or eliminate that energy consumption.

Micro-Hydro; basically a water turbine turned by falling water.  The most efficient means to create electricity but the most unlikely to be available to the normal household or business.  

All three... Wind, Solar PV and Hydro electricity can be used in grid-tie, off grid, and battery backed-up systems (more on these later).

• ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
• Save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime.

The above calculations assume (only) 800kWh per month usage, starting at 12 cents per kWh, increasing 6% a year every year (rounded off)  for 20 years.

The following chart is calculated the same way as above starting with 12 cents per kWh except I only used 2% through 5% increases, with 3 different kWh usages per month, and then both 20 and 40 years.  Note: The average annual inflation rate is often higher then 2%.

PDF Versions of both charts (printable)

The Enphase Micro-Inverter

In a battery backed-up system you still receive power from the grid if needed, but you also have batteries to supply power which get recharged from your solar array or your wind turbine.  Excess power (anything more then you are using and after the batteries are fully recharged) is still net metered back to the power company.

The battery backed-up system has several additional components to it (compared to a plain grid-tie system).  If the source of the power is AC it must be converted to DC.  If the source is already DC then you don't need this item obviously.  The DC is then sent to a charge controller which prevents the batteries from being overcharged.  There are the batteries themselves which must be kept out of the weather, above freezing, and with adequate air circulation to prevent gases from building up (explosions are but one concern with batteries).  The batteries must also be kept from fully discharging.  Full discharging can take years off the life of these types of batteries.  The inverter then changes the power from DC to AC.  There must also be a cut-off to the grid should the utility lose power so that the energy is available for use locally but does not enter the grid.

Net Metering means the power company will accept the AC energy produced that is not immediately used and give you credit for that much energy.  The meter will run backwards giving you a credit. When you are not producing all of your own needs you draw power from the grid and your meter runs normally.  Some utility company policies state that all unused credits will be void after one year.  If you send them more then you use over a year's time they just keep the excess.  In most cases you will not be refunded for sending more energy to the utility company then you used over that 12 month period.  

In a sense, the power company IS your battery.. If you produce too much they get it, and when you don't produce enough you use theirs.  The meter moving both ways nets it out and you only get charged for what you use over and above what you sent them that month.

For more information on Net Metering click here

Also on this site is the list of state participating in net metering.

You will be responsible for all your power creation and consumption.  If it's cloudy for a week straight and you have only solar the batteries will eventually run out and you will not have any power.  If you have a wind generator and there's no wind, same thing.  Should some part of the system fail you will be without power until it can be repaired.  You must stick to a strict regiment of battery and system maintenance.  You must also be prepared to turn off and keep off any and all non-essential appliances in low energy producing conditions to conserve power for required items such as water and refrigeration.  

Going off grid makes sense if there is no utility in which to get power from nearby (such as in very remote locations) or if the utility plans to charge you many tens of thousands of dollars for hookup... otherwise it only makes sense to those individuals who enjoy the ultimate in self sufficiency. 

If you live where the majority of the population lives and have ready access to an electric grid it makes more sense to go with battery assisted grid tie (battery backed-up) "just in case" you need their juice. 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/residential/wind.html

If the site allows, then yes, both are an option.  In fact, it might even be preferred.  Many days when it is bright and sunny there is no wind, and most or at least many windy days are cloudy. In addition, solar produces no energy at night while wind generators can do so. A system that combines both is more apt to produce the energy expected without having to oversize either. The correct balance of each depends on the typical local weather conditions, the layout of the property location, the landscape and buildings on the property, and other factors like budget and even current tax law (explained later).

The short answer is yes.  The longer answer is:

Depends on the system(s) you are looking at. If using the Enphase inverters it is very easy to add on later, it's conceivable to start with even just one panel and add up to 15 more later to make up a 16 panel array (you can even have more then one array), though the overall expense would be slightly more this way. It is not unheard of for a home to have more then one wind systems either, but if the inverter isn't built-in, of if we're talking about solar without Enphase inverters, then the inverter that IS being used may not be large enough to handle the additional input, and a new one may be required. If future expansion is deemed likely then this should be planned for in advance of the first installation.  Get the bigger inverter for future expansion rather then having to sell you used one and replace it with a larger one.  Another problem with expansion is the wiring.  The more juice the wiring must carry the bigger the wire must be.  If the wire isn't large enough it can overheat and even catch fire.  Your system installer is very aware of this danger and will tell you if the wiring needs to be replaced.  You could end up having to replace a lot of the copper wire should expansion be needed unless it was planned for from the beginning.  It all depends on what you are looking at having installed and what you already have installed and what was preplanned for (if anything was needed to be preplanned for at all).

State Incentives for Renewable Energy

http://www.dsireusa.org/index.cfm?EE=1&RE=1

 

Average Sun and Wind Speeds for West Michigan Average Daily Insolation Availability near Muskegon Michigan Angle Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average 0 Degrees (Flat or Horizontal) 1.6 2.4 3.5 4.7 5.9 6.4 6.4 5.4 4.1 2.7 1.6 1.2 3.8 hrs daily 28 Degrees (Latitude -15^) * 2.0 3.1 4.2 5.2 6.0 6.3 6.4 5.8 4.8 3.5 2.1 1.6 4.3 hrs daily 43 Degrees (at Latitude tilt) 2.2 3.3 4.3 5.1 5.6 5.8 5.9 5.6 4.9 3.7 2.2 1.8 4.2 hrs daily 58 Degrees (Latitude +15^) 2.3 3.4 4.2 4.7 5.0 5.0 5.2 5.1 4.6 3.7 2.3 1.8 3.9 hrs daily 90 Degrees (Straight up or Vertical) 2.1 3.1 3.4 3.2 2.9 2.8 2.9 3.2 3.4 3.0 2.0 1.7 2.8 hrs daily * A 6/12 Pitch Roof is approximately 26.5 degrees, an optimal angle at this latitude, but not the only angle that would work.  The summer sun will produce over 3 times the electricity that winter sun will. Average Wind Speed near Muskegon Michigan Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average Average Wind Speed (in m/s) at 626 feet above sea level near the 43rd parallel 5.6 5.1 5.4 5.3 4.5 4.2 4.0 3.9 4.2 4.7 5.3 5.4 4.8 m/s (in mph) 12.5 11.4 12.1 11.9 10.1 9.4 8.9 8.7 9.4 10.5 11.9 12.1 10.7 mph** **The above readings are an average taken over 30 years. The anemometer recorded the 10.7mph average wind speed at an elevation of 20 feet off the ground, the average wind speed will increase to 11.3mph at 30 feet, to 12mph at 45 feet, 13.3mph at 60 feet, and a 14.6mph average at 120 feet. Winter winds are stronger then summer winds.

*** Oct 3rd 2008, it got renewed and increased. 

Owners who purchase small wind systems can receive a credit of 30% of the total installed cost of the system, not to exceed $4,000, limited to $500 per 1/2 KW (see your tax preparer for other qualifications).   There is no longer a cap on solar starting in 2009, but it's still capped at $2,000 for the rest of 2008.  In 2009 or after, buy $20,000 worth of solar and get a credit on your tax return of $6,000.  Buy 4kw of Wind Turbine for more then $13,334 and get $4,000 back on your federal tax return.

The wind credit will be available for equipment installed from January 1, 2008 through Dec 31, 2016  See http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

  You should talk to your tax preparer for full details and to ensure you qualify for the credit. ***

The State of Michigan currently has no grants or credits available of any kind.  Unlike Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and various other states, the current Michigan leadership has made no moves towards helping residences with alternative energy other then requiring utility companies to comply with net metering regulations.

See the "News" link (on this site) for some more details on both the State and the Federal credit situation.

You can play the tax incentives game.  Install a small system now and qualify for the current tax credit, then hope a new credit is made law down the road and take advantage of that by installing more then.

Perhaps you currently heat with fuel oil.  I've heard someone tell me that at $4 per gallon for heating oil they will spend in excess of $4,000 for heat this winter.  Installing an electric geo-thermal system (for example) and either solar or wind devices to cover just the increase in electric usage may allow a person to pay for their new heating system in just a few years but provide heat for decades at no additional yearly expense. 

Then there are the plain old fashion budget concerns.  Splitting up an installation into multiple installations may allow a home or business owner to avoid arranging for financing of the system thus saving even more money.

No.  The "rated" output of wind generators are something of an unobtainable number. It's not that the generator isn't capable of producing that output, it's just that in order to do so it would have to have a continual source of wind at the rated wind speed. 

For example, a wind generator rated at 2kw at 32mph would have to have constant (as in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) 32mph winds to produce the full 2kw of power. In my area that wind speed has been obtained exactly once in the past year, and then not for very many hours at that. 

If you are using the rated output to compare makes and models of wind generators you should also note that no two generators use the same wind speed for their output number. One might be 1.2kw at 20mph, the next might be 1.5kw at 25mph... the 1.5kw might only produce 1.0kw at 20mph, but you will have to dig deeper to find that out.  And, to top that off, depending on where you live, you may only see 20mph winds 12 times a year.

Wind generators do not produce twice as much energy at double the wind speed.  (read that one again carefully)  Typically they will produce from 4 to 8 times as much energy at double the wind speed. 

The reverse is also true... half the wind speed will generate one fourth to one eighth the energy. Then, at even lower levels of wind it will produce nothing at all. All wind generators have a "cut-in" speed. This is the how fast the wind must be blowing before any energy is produced at all.

The best way to establish how much energy a wind turbine will produce for you is to first find out how much your average wind speed is at your location and then do the calculations from there... assuming you can find the information needed to do the math for the turbine you wish to purchase.  

One more thing, in my area there are a number of personal weather stations, two of them are about 3 miles apart, but one is at a considerably higher elevation then the other, with fewer trees near by... it's average wind speed is nearly 70% more then the other one.  (Note: neither station is all that high off the ground).

Power Curve Example

Another issue involving noise are roof mount turbines.  Aside from the structural concerns that must be taken into account, any moving object connected solidly to a structure can cause a vibration like humming sound throughout the structure.  This potential must be considered before installation preferably by visiting an existing installation to hear for yourself the noise generated.

Watch a video

Same Video but for Dial-up Connection

Another version of this product

Alternative energy is a growing industry, with a lot of competition, and new technology is coming out almost on a monthly basis, so what is "best" one month may not be "best" the next.  What is "best" for you may not be what is "best" for your neighbor.  

Having said all that, the products I carry are the "best" for the various situations I encounter.  Now it's just a matter of determining which of them is right for you.

The chart at the right shows wind speed in miles per hour along the bottom for the tower height along the left side.  The data is as follows:

In addition to the consideration of obstacles, land contours, and costs there is the additional consideration of the local zoning and building codes.  In some areas you may not erect a tower over 30 feet.  In others, it may be 45 feet.  

One final consideration is servicing.  Be it repair or maintenance.  The higher the turbine the harder and more expensive it will be to maintain it or if the need arises, to repair it.

MPH

Typically, the higher the tower the higher the wind speed at any given time.

Thin Film Laminates: Watch a Video

Thin film laminate is attached directly to metal roofing.  It reduces the expense of installation by eliminating the need for mounting brackets.  This product is currently available and in desired quantities with only a small amount of lead time.  View the information on this product by clicking here.  Shelby Solar and Wind can install a metal roof with Uni-Solar thin film laminates if the location meets installation criteria, specifically the location of the roof in comparison to the sun.  Contact us for details or to obtain a quote.  (There is also a video of this product on you tube, see link to the right).

Watch a video on inverters

Shading has the single biggest affect on solar after the total lack of sunlight. A leaf, bird droppings, shade from a tree or building or even a chimney can severely reduce the amount of energy production for the entire system until corrected. It is essential that all potential shading problems be addressed before installation. Shaded panels should never be on the same string as non-shaded panels for a shaded panel will affect the entire string unless the technology can accommodate this issue.  There are several technologies available to use if removal of the obstacle is not an option.

Interference has the single biggest affect on wind generators (after the lack of wind of course). Trees and buildings that were not there or full grown when the system was installed can affect the flow of wind hitting the turbine. So can landscape changes. Consideration of the wind generator location should be made before planting or building near the system.

Voltage. If the inverter is built-into the unit then the output is AC power, usually 220 volts. Care should be given not to damage any wiring coming from the system. If the inverter is a single unit near the power meter then all output wires to the unit are DC and may carry over 500 volts. DC voltage is much more dangerous at these levels then AC. Never work on wiring after installation without ensuring the power is cut off throughout the system. (note: if the Sun is out, the lines are live)

Refer to manufacturers directions for cleaning solar panels. Use only the correct solvents and means of debris removal. Never walk on your panels. Do not climb wind towers. Be sure to follow proper maintenance procedures.

Permission must be received before a system can be connected to the power grid from your utility company, there can be fees associated with this and it can be time consuming in some cases. Be prepared for delays.

Product is in great demand, not only in the USA but world-wide. There is a lead time for many items ordered, however, my distributor does stock a great deal of product to reduce or eliminate this lead time.

All installations require permits and inspections. Each inspector may require different elements to be installed, at the home owners expense. To avoid unexpected costs, full plans need to be presented during the permit application phase.

If a roof is to be replaced the entire solar installation will need to be removed and re-installed, it is advisable not to install a solar energy system on an older roof that is in need of replacement. Solar panels have a tendency to lengthen the life of standard roofing products but not indefinitely.

In order to install a wind system a great deal of cement will need to be used to anchor the tower, thought needs to be given as to how to transport the cement to the site. In order to install solar it is necessary to attach it to the roof (unless it's a free standing system), the attachments to the roof should be properly flashed to prevent leaks.  The system must also be properly grounded to reduce or eliminate damage by lightning.  One more note: the glass panels housing the solar modules are typically rated for 1 inch hail at 140mph.

"The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) estimates that Michigan has the potential to be one of the top eight states for wind energy generation in the country, making Michigan an attractive customer market for wind turbine manufacturers.  The USDOE has also cited a study by the Renewable Energy Policy Project that found Michigan is the fourth best- positioned state to expand wind power manufacturing jobs.  Many wind turbine manufacturers are sold out of their product for one or two years down the road."

http://www.michigan.gov/minewswire/0,1607,7-136-3452-200347--,00.html.