| Many people are considering switching their homes | | | | argument can be made that neither is better than the |
| from a conventional electrical systems to an | | | | other, and perhaps the best solution is to install both |
| alternative or "green" energy system. The two main | | | | solar power and wind power generating systems. The |
| types of systems people are considering are: A) the | | | | reason behind this argument is that many times the |
| solar panel array and B) the wind turbine generator. | | | | wind will be blowing and the sun is not shining. |
| The Solar Panel Array: The solar panel array takes | | | | Electricity will be produced at this time by the wind |
| photo voltaic (PV) cells and connects many of them | | | | powered component. When the sun is shining and |
| together into what is known as a solar panel. A PV cell | | | | there is no wind, electric power will be made by the |
| is able to convert light energy into direct current (DC) | | | | solar power component. |
| electric energy. By linking a series of solar panels | | | | When the sun is shining and the wind is blowing, |
| together into a "solar panel array", a great deal of | | | | electricity will be made by both components. The only |
| electricity can be made. If enough of these solar | | | | time that electricity will not be produced by this "hybrid" |
| panels are linked together into a solar array, enough | | | | system is when the sun is not shining and the wind is |
| electricity can be made to power a house. This DC | | | | not blowing. At that time, it will be necessary to resort |
| current is often converted to Alternating current (AC). | | | | to the electricity that has been stored in batteries |
| The reason for this is that most homes and home | | | | during the sunny and windy times; or, it may be |
| appliances operate on AC current, which is the type of | | | | necessary to supplement the system by purchasing |
| electricity supplied by the utility companies. | | | | some electricity from an electric utility company. They |
| The Wind Turbine Generator: A wind turbine generator | | | | will be more than happy to oblige. |
| is really just an electric motor hooked up in reverse to | | | | There is no clear answer to which alternative power |
| a windmill. As wind energy pushes on the blades of | | | | system is better. Careful consideration must be made |
| the windmill, the center axle will spin which will cause | | | | on an individual case basis to determine which is |
| the motor/generator to operate. This rotational energy | | | | preferable, or if both would be preferred. Much |
| from the wind is converted to electrical energy. | | | | depends on the environment and whether patterns |
| The question that comes up is which is a better type | | | | specific to each location. |
| of alternative green energy to convert to? An | | | | |