Comments on: What are the drawbacks to using wind turbines or solar panels for providing all power to a home?

By: lee26loo

lee26loo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:43:59 +0000

A
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By: s@mzzz

s@mzzz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:33:59 +0000

again trying to help..again thnx 4 the previous………
nothing else…………but A.
NO COMMENTS ON THE OTHER OPTIONS….
except these there is another drawback…….its when your brother breaks the solar panel after quarrel with you……then no electricity will b produced………….hope this funny answer u liked……..its just to make yahhooooooooooo answer FUNNNNN…………
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By: roderick_young

roderick_young — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:43:59 +0000

A is the strongest answer. The sun is not in the sky for half the time, on average, but some locations have extremely reliable wind.

B is 99% false. Same thinking as above.

C is about 60% true. Solar is not economical for many homes, and wind even less so due to geography.

D is 90% true. When heating, cooling, and cooking needs are taken into account, solar does not supply enough power. When heat comes from somewhere else like a wood stove or natural gas, solar can supply a home’s needs. There’s still the economic issue. And the term "efficient" is subjective.
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By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:55:59 +0000

A is the most important. The advantage of both is that sun comes in the daytime and wind tends to come at night. The best way to solve the variability problem is to either tie into the grid or use batteries to store the electricity you are not using for a later time.

Here are some good tutorials on how to do this and also understand the variability issue:
http://energy.wesrch.com/pdfTR1L02KEKX141
http://energy.wesrch.com/pdfTR1YL6V1ZIPVC
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http://energy.wesrch.com/pdfTR1L02KEKX141
http://energy.wesrch.com/pdfTR1YL6V1ZIPVC

By: billrussell42

billrussell42 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:13:59 +0000

A is true

B is obviously not true

C and D have some truth in them. Terms like efficient and expensive are relative, so depending on how you interpret these terms, you could see either C or D or both as true.

.
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By: Kimi

Kimi — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:30:59 +0000

energy from solar panels can be stored in batteries for when there is little sun light. its very expensive to install, maybe 8 grand upwards for home systems, hence its usually just used for heating up water etc.. but average *home* system can take on maybe up to 40% of that household’s annual electricity useage.. it is rather expensive per square metre to buy as silicon is not so readily available to make it cheap.. but once its up there it doesnt need much maintenance except to clean it, etc.

wind turbines are expensive to install but once up, not much maintanence is needed, checked up maybe every few years.. the energy can be stored in batteries when there is no wind present.

so, i guess its def not answer B and C.

edit: wind and sunlight is free so it isnt expensive to *use*
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