Renewable Energy Systems
Renewable Energy for your Home
For many people living in remote areas, connecting to the
mains grid is not an option. Therefore, they must produce
their own power. In the past, many have resorted to petrol
or diesel generators, but these are both noisy, maintenance
intensive, and environmentally damaging. In more recent
years, other cleaner forms of power generation have become
available.
Arguably the most well known is solar
power, via solar panels,
though other forms, such as wind
and water power, are
also becoming more common. Unlike fossil fuel powered petrol
or diesel generators, these forms of energy production are
known as renewable energy, because they will continue
to be available as long as the Sun and Earth still exist.
How does it work?
Basically, power is generated by the solar
panels, wind turbines
/ water turbines
or whatever, and is fed into a bank of batteries to be stored
for use when required. The power can then be used directly
from the batteries, or passed via an inverter for use with
normal mains appliances. However, it is not always realistic
to use all of the appliances that a mains-connected house
might use.
Because of the cost of buying extra solar panels, wind
turbines or a larger inverter,
using power-hungry appliances like electric frypans, hairdryers
and fan heaters is best avoided or minimised. Energy management
is concerned with the efficient use of energy. A little
effort spent in reducing energy wastage can repay itself
many times over.
