Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Wind Energy Systems

Advantages and disadvantages of home wind energy

There is a lot of discussion going on about the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy. A wind turbine looks like a simple and economical alternative to the ever rising fuel prices.

Solar Power especially the Photovoltaic systems have the image of being expensive and cost inefficient. Some think that both wind and solar energy are perhaps going to be a major factor someday, but it's fuel cell technology we need to focus on.

Wind Energy, a simple through the centuries proven concept

But how about the pros and cons. What are the factors that can influence our

In order to get a grasp on the subject we must use a cliché "it depends". And it really does. The mentioned technologies of harnessing clean energy all have their use. But there is no absolute winner, and often systems using a combination of different alternative energy techniques are the most powerful.

So what are the advantages of Wind Energy

• Wind has a high energy density, meaning that you only need a little to generate energy output improves geometrically with the wind speed.
• Its completely clean, and it takes nothing out of the environment
• The principle is simple, we all know old Dutch windmills and the dynamo on our bicycle. Joined together they are a wind energy plant.
• Operating costs are low.

There is of course maintenance to the moving parts, shafts and turbine blades. But compared to an ordinary power plant that is minimal

As  mentioned wind has a high energy density and the energy production isn't linear. For example when a 2 mph wind produces 100 watts a 4 mph wind is doing 1000 watt (4 mph is twice 2 mph) so that means 100 times 100 = 1000 watt. This means that a good output doesn't need an awful lot of wind, and in fact that a normal turbine is soon at its optimum capacity. Gale force winds will damage a wind turbine rather then give a good production

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

• The output is like solar power dependent on weather conditions.
• this is a point, but combining wind and solar energy systems often gives the best of both worlds
• Wind turbines are ugly and destroy the landscape
  • this is a matter of opinion and taste, personally I think they look alright. But I can imagine that in rural areas they can spoil the view
• They are dangerous to birds
• They can be noisy

It will probably come as no surprise that the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy don't fall into a clear-cut template. Residential use on an economical scale is difficult at the moment. You need a fairly high tower, it does make some noise and probably your neighbors will not be as enthusiastic as you are.

Technically spoken hybrid solar/wind systems are a deal. There you have an example of  a perfect team in energy production