I am going to be building green in the next couple of years and i need an idea of how many solar panels i need in addition to a wind turbine to sufficiently handle a workshop, house, green house, etc. and what the approximate cost will be.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Photovoltaic solar panels are priced by the watt. Average price today is just under $ 4.00 per watt. More efficient panels take less space to produce the same amount of electricity. To design a system, you first must decide how much power you are looking to produce. then you look at the various products to find what fits your need. if you have a very compact space, you may pay more for more per watt for really efficient panels, but if you have a good amount of space you can get lower cost panels that take more space and cost less. With a wind turbine complimenting your system you will only need a modest battery storage bank. 15kw system could get you off grid entirely! 15,000 watts x $ 4.00 = $ 60,000. 3kw system with net metering mat cost about $ 12,000. Many homeowners (like me) build their systems piecemeal to keep costs manageable. Good Luck!
P.S. – If you build it with the house, the price can be rolled into the mortgage. $ 60,000 would add +/- $ 300.00 a month to your payment, but you would have no Electric bill, a savings of $ 100-200 a month. Once it is paid for, you only have to pay maintenance costs.
I think Brian’s answer was perfect for the US, but in the UK, with very high gas and oil prices, we would also look at hydrogen production from the wind turbine instead of a battery store, where excess capacity could be used to heat the house or potentially act as a car fuel. Alternatively we would look to selling back excess electricity to the grid.
realgoods.com is awesome resource and pricing guide, With out the kW information of the need for your workshop no one can really tell you what you need for power supply.
I would recommend you orientate your building or shop to maximize the passive solar potential. this will drastically eliminate your excessive need for heating and cooling. Which in turn will maximize your solar energy from the panels. Also depending upon what state you live in do some further research into any programs or grants offered by the power companies or state incentives.
Regarding hydrogen…for get about it.