There is much debate about the issue of Renewable energy –vs- Fossil Fuel – particularly for those skeptical about the risks of climate change resulting from man-made greenhouse gasses.

This has given rise to many myths about renewable energy.

Find these myths being busted below:

MYTH 1- Renewable Energy is Expensive:

In the case of solar and wind energy, all of the costs are in producing the equipment (and maintaining it in the case of wind). Once built there is no fuel.

More importantly, there are no hidden costs resulting from pollution. Electricity produced from coal is particularly polluting (and Ireland still uses the Moneypoint coal-fired station).

If (as we do) you believe that climate change is, or will be, caused by man-made greenhouse gases, the long term costs of energy from fossil fuels is truly enormous.

MYTH 2- Renewable Energy do not deliver 24*7 :

It is widely believed that renewable energy production is dependent on weather conditions and its production can vary depending on cases such as wind speed, solar power etc. But the reality is that in most cases, various forms of renewable energy are integrated and thus the variability can be adjusted accordingly. This is increasingly true if you add more solar power to the Irish grid where it complements wind and hydro power especially well, but with large grid interconnection, there is always a mix of sources available.

MYTH 3- Renewable Energy is Not a Reality Yet:

Though renewable energy is working in a full fledged manner in many countries, some refuse to consider it as anything more than fiction. Some data that can bust this myth:

Germany gets its 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources, which aims to power the country almost entirely on renewable sources by 2050.

Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Denmark are some of the other countries which are working towards attaining 100% renewable energy.

MYTH 4 – It takes more carbon or energy to make a solar panel or wind turbine than it produces in its lifetime

This simply is not true. Firstly, if that were true, the cost of the energy would be reflected in the product cost, and it could never repay its cost in its lifetime.

If you study the carbon emissions caused by the production of steel, aluminum, copper and other component parts of both wind and solar, you will find that the carbon emissions and fuel emissions saved by the product make up for its production within about 1 year.

Conclusion:

The internet is littered with misinformation, often given by well-intentioned people. But proper research will show that renewable energy is the only long-term way we can maintain our lifestyles. And even if you do not believe in climate change resulting from greenhouse gases, we can all understand that oil and gas are finite resources which cannot possibly power civilization forever.

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Solar panels produce DC (direct current) when the silicon junction is exposed to light. A solar inverter converts this direct current to alternating current (AC power) which must be compatible with the grid so that domestic appliances can use the power.

Solar inverters become popular and are now mass produced as a result of the solar revolution taking place throughout the developed world. They are:

• Efficient – most inverters convert power at efficiency levels above 95%.
• Economical – mass production has brought the price of inverters down to about €300 for smaller models.
• Environmentally Friendly – made from materials which can be recycled at end of life, and with no moving parts, to ensure longevity of the units themselves.
• Very low maintenance – after the cost of initial installation, solar inverters are virtually maintenance free and durable.

1. A Stand Alone Solar Inverter – It pulls direct current power from batteries charged by various resources such as diesel generators, solar panels and wind turbines. These inverters convert battery direct current into the alternating current (AC) to create a mini-grid when there is no grid present. These are usually used in homes or industrial buildings as a power backup and or for operating small appliances depending upon the wattage. They are also commonly known as off-grid inverters”

1. A Grid Tie Solar Inverter – converts power from solar panels into AC power for transmission on the grid. This type of inverter must include a number of protections known as “anti islandint” to ensure that it does not send power to the grid during power cuts. This is essential for the safety of ESB staff working on power lines during an outage. Unfortunately this means that the panels cannot provide electricity during power cuts. In Ireland, inverter must meet EN50438 standards with some unique Irish variants.

How Does a Solar Inverter Work?

The main components of a solar power system are, solar panels to produce the power, an inverter to convert the power to AC and inject the power into the grid, Isolators to ensure that the system can be disconnected, and an MCB (trip switch). The electricity from the inverter flows into the household grid. From there it can either be used by appliances within the house, or if there is a surplus, it will be exported via a meter to the electricity mains grid.

The inverter is the “heart” of any solar power system. It not only converts the direct current generated by the solar panels to alternating current, but it also uses MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) to ensure that the panel is kept at an optimum voltage to produce the maximum amount of electricity.

For more information contact us via phone 0151 3245588.

Renewable energy is critical to the survival of our lifestyle – for two reasons; the fact that fossil fuels will eventually run out, and the need to reduce our emissions of climate change gasses.

There are various sources of renewable energy, each with its own advantage, but they all are clean and, provide jobs and boost the economy.

Solar photovoltaic in particular though is affordable at a domestic or household scale, and requires no maintenance.

Clean:

Solar photovoltaic panels produce electricity reliably for over 25 years, and many panels made over 40 years ago are still working. Solar energy complements wind turbines because usually in Ireland, when you have less wind, you have more sunlight. There is a seasonal balance when you combine wind and solar. Solar panels also produce all of their power during the daytime when demand from industry is highest.

Affordable:

According to a report by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Ireland has saved more than €1bn from fossil fuel imports as a result of the roll-out of renewable energies, and has cut down on CO2 emissions by 12m tonnes. In the long term, as oil and gas prices rise, this will stabilize the cost of electricity production.

Domestic:

If you use the electricity you generate, you save the full retail price of electricity, and you future proof yourself from future price rises.

Depending on your location, a 4kWp system can generate between 3,400 kilowatt hours and 4,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year – roughly equivalent to a typical household’s electricity needs.

Renewable/ Infinite:

 Renewable energy or renewable power, as the name suggests is such a source of power that can replenish itself over and over again. This is not true of oil and gas, all of which will eventually run out. Why should we wait to make the switch?

Less maintenance:

Renewable energy projects based on solar photovoltaic panels require less maintenance compared to traditional generators. And with evolving battery technology, it is widely believed that self-consumption will increasingly become widespread.

Jobs and the Economy:

The Irish Wind Energy Association in 2012, claimed that the renewable energy sector could compete with Ireland’s financial, electronics and pharmaceuticals sectors and could expect generation of 18,000 new jobs in the coming eight years.

The group also claimed that if the targets are met then there could be investment of more than €18bn into the Irish economy.

This sector can grow beyond those targets if solar is combined with wind. The advantages of solar are that the investment and profit can be in the hands of local householders. Any house can benefit from the addition of solar panels to reduce reliance on imported oil and gas.

For more information contact us via phone 0151 3245588.

Is your electricity bill skyrocketing? If yes, you may want to consider the option of setting up a home wind power system to tackle the problem. These systems not only give you the freedom to generate as much as power you would want for your home, but they also help you save up a lot on your electricity bills. And, if you manage to generate surplus electricity, you might also consider selling it to the power grids. So, how do you go about it? We’ll show you the right way to set up a wind power system for your home.

What are your basic requirements?

-The place where your live needs to have a sufficient amount of wind to run a wind turbine.

-Check with your local authority if there are any special permits required to set up a home wind power system.

-Wind turbines work best if installed on elevated sites so check this factor as well.

-It is also important to determine the distance of the site from your home. If you set up the turbine too near to your house, the noise and vibrations might be a concern while setting up the turbine too far away means that you would have to bear the extra costs of running a power line from the site to your house.

Basics of installing a wind power system on your property

Once you’ve evaluated whether it is feasible to install a wind power system on your property, the next step is to understand the basics for going further.

-Check if a small wind system is an economical investment for the wind resource in your area.

-Assess your average household electricity requirements by keeping an eye on your monthly or yearly electricity bills.

–Talk to the professionals to decide on the type of wind power system that would fit the bill and cater to your needs.

How to buy a wind power system that meets your needs?

When you’re out to buy a wind power system for your property, here are few questions you must never fail to ask the dealer:

What is the energy output of the system?

What is the warranty period and detail of the coverage?

Is the turbine tested? If yes, when and by whom?

Is the manufacturing company trustworthy? How long have they been in business?

How many of these turbines have you sold?

What problems are frequently encountered while using this turbine?

Can I have the reference of other customers who have owned this particular model for a period of time?

Do you provide after-sales assistance and support in case of a breakdown?

Do you also provide professional installers?

Will you provide me a demo?

On the basis of these questions and a little bit of research, you might zero-in on the right wind power system for your home.

For more Information call us (0151 324 5588) or  Contact us.

Wind power is gaining favor as a cost-effective and sustainable way to produce energy without the risk of exhausting the energy resource such as the fossil fuel sources. In fact, production of wind energy on a domestic basis is also gaining popularity. Setting up a wind power system for your home is a great way to generate electricity on your own while any surplus energy generated can also be sold to the power grids.

However, many find it a tad difficult to get good parts and spares for their home wind turbines in the event of an breakdown or if they are a DIY wind turbine maker. If you are indeed one of them, fret not. Simply skim through the following guidelines to find the best parts for your wind turbines without breaking your bank.

Wind turbine motor

This is the heart of your turbine and if you must be careful while choosing the right motor for your turbine. DC motors are just the thing you need and the best ones (and unfortunately the rarest ones) are Ametek motors. Most DIY-ers swear by these and you should try looking for them on EBay or your local Craigslist site. However, you can also try some other good motor brands such as Dayton which might work as well. Before you buy the motor, check the amount of energy it is able to generate for a particular rotation-per-minute (RPM). You should choose a motor that produces more energy for lesser RPM. It is also advisable that you stay away from gear motors as they are little difficult to run.

Power Inverter and Charge Controller

For good quality charge controllers, visit us. Remember, it’s better that you choose a basic and inexpensive option before moving on to more complex charge controllers. As for inverters, look for a combination of true sine wave and modified sine wave inverters for best results.

Battery

If you think your wind turbine needs some fancy and expensive battery, it’s time to change your opinion. Deep-cycle batteries and, more specifically, marine batteries are totally fine to go with your turbine system. They are an inexpensive and reliable option for you. However, do not choose car batteries since they are not very good at managing the charge cycles.

For more Information call us (0151 324 5588) or  Contact us.

So you’ve decided to generate your own electricity, albeit, the clean way? Welcome to the world of wind turbines. Wind turbines not only allow you to power your home but also help you earn by selling electricity to a supplier. However, you might find it a little difficult as well as confusing to hit upon the right wind turbine since the current market is replete with a too many options for you. Here’s a roundup of a few tested methods to choose the right wind turbine for home.

Understand the nature of your site

This is the most important step that will help you decide whether or not your location is suitable for a wind turbine installation. The best places for setting up turbines are long stretches of open fields located at a higher altitude. There should ideally be no wires, trees or any kind of obstruction between the turbine and the wind.

Decide on your requirements

Determine the actual energy requirement for your home by taking into accounts various factors such as your monthly consumption, your saving habits, insulation of your home and so on. This will help you to understand the amount of electricity your have to generate.

Reduce your consumption

Fix the air leakage issue of your home, if any. This will go a long way to ensure that you won’t have to generate too much electricity. Minimizing your consumption will automatically allow you to install smaller wind energy system that would be cost-effective as well.

Monitor the average wind speed

The wind speed decides the amount the electricity generated. Greater wind speed means more electricity. Therefore, it’s important for you to monitor the wind speed at your location to avoid excess energy production. Many turbine manufacturers hand out a power curve diagram to their customers for this purpose.

Ask your dealer everything you wish to know

Don’t keep yourself from asking questions. And yes, as many as you want! Clarify each and every doubt with your dealer and see if he is explaining each detail to you with patience. This is a clear signal of whether or not you’ve chosen the right dealer. Consider asking questions like:

Is this particular model right for my site?

Is there any warranty provided? (a warranty of at least 2 years is a must)
Are the parts and spares readily available in case of a breakdown?

Do you provide installation service as well?

What are the precautions I must take while using them?

Also read reviews and testimonials before you zero in on a particular dealer. Word-of-mouth recommendations are great too.

To know more about Wind Turbine Controllers and Wind Turbine Inverter Visit our Website or you may Contact us.

Wind turbines- how it all started?

Wind turbine originated at the end of the 19th century as a device to generate electricity. However, it is the 21st century that has taken wind turbines to heights of popularity. The reasons for this, of course, were evident- issues such as depletion of fossil fuels, global warming and the global concerns regarding energy security have led to the popularity of wind turbines with wind inverter. Today, they are one of the prime sources of renewable energy across the world.

In Europe alone, wind energy is responsible for 8% of the Eu’s electricity consumption which clearly indicates the growing popularity of wind turbines.

The mechanism behind wind turbines

If we put it simply, wind turbines work in an exact opposite way to how electric fans operate. While a fan uses electricity to give wind, a wind turbine uses wind to generate electricity.

The following is the step-by-step process of how a wind turbine works:

The blades of the turbine move with the help of wind.
These moving blades turn a shaft placed inside a box at the top of the turbine.
The shaft enters the gear box and increases the speed of rotation.
With the help of the generator, rotational energy gets converted into electrical energy.
The transformer helps in converting the electricity from nearly 700 Volts (V) to 33,000V (the estimated voltage appropriate for distribution).
The power thus generated is transmitted by a central grid.

Let us know a wind turbine better

The following are some of the parts of a wind turbine:

Tower

These are cylindrical columns made of steel ranging from a height of 25 to 75 metres.

Gear Box

Responsible for increasing the rotational speed, the gear box is located at the top of the wind turbines. However, nowadays, the direct drive generators are on the rise.

Rotor blades

Wind turbines can have anything from one to three rotor blades which range from 30 and 80 metres in diameter. Longer blades cause better energy output. Pitch angle can be changed and power output can be modified by rotating the blades.

The Yaw System

The yaw mechanism directs the wind turbine rotor towards the wind.

Wind speed and direction monitor

Sensors help to monitor wind direction. Power is auto-controlled with the varying wind speed since very high wind speed may damage the machines.

For more information about wind Inverter and wind controller please Contact us or call us (0151 324 5588)