Renewable Energy Options
There are several ways to employ Renewable Energy to meet your needs beyond only Solar technology. In different regions of the US, multiple Renewable options exist, including Wind Generation, Micro-hydropower, Biomass and Geothermal energy. In the southern US, our best second option is Wind Energy, especially in coastal areas.
Wind Energy Systems consist of a turbine and rotors attached to a tower, and which pivots to follow the prevailing wind direction. A steady, reliable wind resource is required to keep the turbine running as often as possible, with 12mph+ the ideal windspeed for maximum electrical generation in most designs. Not all areas work well with wind, and many inland areas in the south are inappropriate for a successful Wind Energy investment.
To learn more about Wind Energy and what your wind resource is, see the following links to manufacturers and government for site assessment tools and specifications:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – http://www.nrel.gov/gis/wind.html
- DOE Wind Powering America – http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/index.asp
- Skystream Grid-Tied Wind Turbine – http://www.skystreamenergy.com
