Wind Generator?
Does anybody use a wind generator? Vs... solar? Has anyone already worked out the pro's - con's? Thanks,
Forum Discussion
valhalla360 wrote:
Solar seems to be pushing wind out of the market in the boating world. They stil make them but while I hear people asking and see solar installations all the time. I don't remember the last time someone asked about wind.
Go back 20 yrs and wind could outperform solar both in cost and output. Now, solar has largely caught up and with no moving parts, it's basically an install and forget it option.
Remember while they may start producing power at 5-10mph, it will be a negligible amount until you get above 15mph and the rated power won't come until you get up in the 20-25mph range.
I like your answer!
For a permanant installation I would definately consider wind. But never for an RV. Vehicles move. When the vehicle/RV moves the wind generator is stored... it has no value... it produces nothing.
Worse that that... wind mills make noise... I wouldn't want to bother people.... like some do by setting their generators up againest your RV.... Aaaggg! That'll make for a nice campground experiece like having a insensitive fruitcakeset there remote gasoline generator or hang a wind chime outside your cabover.
My truck and camper moves every day... my PVsolar panels produce some power if there is light... a lot of power when it is bright light. They produce power on the interstate highways, when we are at the beach, on top of a mountain, or in our capitals parking lot, at a museum or art gallery, or on a boat ramp. Nothing to set up, nothing to take down, nothing to store. PVSolar just quietly continues to produce... PVsolar panels are warrenteed for 25 years or more.
A built in generator makes a nice backup... you'll find that you won't use the builtin generator often if you have the properly sized solar panels.
I have also considered the cost in dollars and effort.... very high in dollars, and constant effort to put up and take down for recreational vehicles.
I would have to say that of all the methods of self susstaining power generation the only thing that I find less useful than a wind generator with a truck camper (and most other RV's) is a personal hydropower plant.
