PV Gap

Doris Said:

i need a solar panel and wind energy generator?

We Answered:

If this is not a troll or a joke, then to answer seriously, what you want is not possible on earth. The incoming solar flux (light from the sun) has only about 1/3 of what you are requesting, even outside earth's atmosphere.

However, a lead-acid battery could fit within the dimensions you specify, and provide that kind of power, at that cost. If you're serious, then post another question with details of your end application, instead of just power specs. People can help you out.

You can hook up fan blades to a small hobby motor, and get something about the size of a salt shaker. It might be enough to recharge a cell phone, in steady wind. Again, if you post details, people can help you.

Shirley Said:

can a 400-Watt 16.5-Volt Solar Panel Generator power my house?

We Answered:

I dont understand your 17,777.78 figure.

Anyway, a 400 wat panel is unlikely to b enough to power your home unless your power requirement is vry low.
Those on solar power (off grid) generally start by reducing their power consumption as much as possible, by cooking on gas, using low enrgy light bulbs, and certainly not using electricity for any form of heating.

We live off grid in southern Spain with 860 watts of panels and it meets our requiremnts.
You can calculate your plower requirements (and find other info) at the link below

Bryan Said:

I have a 110 volt refrigerator that I would like to power with a solar panel or wind generator.?

We Answered:

Buy yourself a Kill A Watt meter or other home energy monitor and measure the fridge consumption for a full three days to get an average per day. That plus the number of hours of decent sunlight would tell you how many solar panels you might need.

When I priced solar panels two years ago we were going to pay about $10,000 for a 1kwh system that would, if everything went according to plan, produce about 3.5 kwh a day. A good standard energy efficient fridge uses about 1.5 kwh a day, one from 1995 somewhat more as they are much more efficient these days. On the other hand, if you buy a Sun Frost refrigerator, which is specifically designed for solar electric powered homes, you will spend considerably more on the fridge than on your 1995 model (which you don't have to spend a cent on because you own it) but you will save big time on solar panels because the Sun Frost is so energy efficient.

Kent Said:

How do you connect a solar panel and wind generator in parallel?

We Answered:

Placing diodes in series with each source to the battery would solve your problem. You should use a charge controller on the system to prevent overcharging the battery.
I've put together a relatively simple dump load circuit which diverts excess power to high power resistors. It is part of a wind charging system with inputs from wind, solar, and a DC power supply.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/wind.…
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/rackw…
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/dumpl…

Brad Said:

What are the best Deep Cycle batteries to use when storing energy from a wind generator and a solar panel?

We Answered:

Deep cycle batteries are the correct choice for renewable energy systems. Unlike your car battery, deep cycle batteries are made to be deeply discharged and recharged many times over the life. When selecting batteries for solar and wind systems, flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries are the most cost effective. They also require maintenance -i.e. regularly checking the fluid level to ensure longest life. FLA batteries offer the largest storage potential, and batteries can be up to several hundred pounds each.

Besides FLA batteries there are also sealed gel cell and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries for RE applications. These batteries are more expensive than FLA batteries and are generally smaller in storage capacity. They are good for remote applications where maintenance would be difficult, and because fluid levels do not need to be maintained, they have a shorter lifespan than the FLA batteries.

Remember to be conservative when calculating battery size for a stand-alone solar or wind system. If your battery bank is undersized, you will not be able to supply the energy you had planned. Battery bank is size is directly dependent on the amount of Watt-hours you are supplying; how many days of autonomy you will need; the depth of discharge; and inverter efficiency. Be sure to look at the battery warranty as well. Rolls-Surrette batteries are known for their quality and are also a bit more expensive upfront. But high quality batteries, if properly cared for, will outlast cheaper batteries and save money in the long run.
Good luck!
Kristen
http://newenglandbreeze.com/