How to Generate Electricity at Your Home?
The rapidly depleting fuels and energy sources are creating need of alternate power solutions. Moreover, electricity bills will continue to get more expensive over time. The biggest challenge lies in generating cost effective and eco-friendly solutions.
Here comes green electricity which is produced from sources that does not leave negative impact on the environment. It is always best to reduce dependency on foreign resources which will definitely give a sustainable future. This will not only benefit oneself but will also give rise to eco-friendly environment.
Make your Home a “Self sufficient Home”.
A self sufficient home offers simple and cost effective life. It does take a large amount of dedication and initial investment. People grow their own food, generate their own electricity and raise their own livestock. One can generate power at home by implementing energy-generating technologies such as solar panels, bio-gas and wind turbines.
Electricity Generation at Your Home
The practical and economical sources of electricity generated at farm or home include ‘renewable’ sources such as wind, bio waste and sunlight.
Small wind energy system
Such systems are generally installed at homes, farms and small businesses either to reduce electricity bills or as a source of backup electricity. Generally small wind turbines range between in size from 300 watts to 3KW. An average home can save two months of electricity with a one KW residential wind turbine. The number depends on efficiency of the turbine and on the area and size of house.
Following conditions are essential to install a commercial scale wind energy system :
- The area must be of minimum one acre and should possess good wind resource.
- Permission from municipal authority to install wind turbines which should be 250-300 mts away from neighbor’s house.
- Your electricity bills should be high and should have easy access to utility lines.
Vertical axis wind turbine and Horizontal axis wind turbine are commonly used wind turbines. Small wind turbines are mountable on roof top for domestic applications and it stores power in battery.Wind Energy is Environment friendly, pollution free energy and it does not emit Green House Gases.
Treating bio waste
Bio-fuels obtained from biological waste can also be used to produce electricity. The gas obtained by decomposing waste is safer, eco-friendly and stinks.
The treatment of domestic organic waste and food results in bio energy which is a renewable source of energy. It is used for producing heat, electricity and transport fuels. The domestic bio waste can be treated hygienically by using bio mechanization technology to produce cooking oil.
For installation purpose, it needs one square meter of space and one to fours hours of time. It will not only reduce tendency to throw waste on roads and public places but will also help in overcoming fuel crisis.
The municipal corporation of Vijayawada has plans to install affordable portable bio gas plants in several compounds like households,apartments and hotels. The capacity of these plants would vary between one kg to thousand kg.
Electricity from Solar Panels
Rooftop solar power plants
Installing rooftop solar power plants is the best example of space utilization along with producing electricity. It can be set up on the terrace of both residential and commercial buildings to generate solar power.
Rooftop solar power plants are designed to meet the domestic needs of the people who have fear of huge bill. Such people use air conditioners, washing machines water-heaters and other home appliances very frequently. The photovoltaic cells of the panel convert solar energy into direct current.
A battery back up can also be attached to the system for power in night. A landlord renting out his rooftop for solar power generation will get good returns.
Solar Thermal or Solar water heater
The free and natural heat of sun can be utilised to hear water via Solar. Installing a climate friendly hot water system can save your energy bill and saves environment. Such heating systems can be installed on the terrace of individual homes and apartment blocks.(Single or smaller systems). A storage tank is mounted horizontally over the solar collectors on the roof. An electric booster is used to heat water in winters.
Solar lighting for apartment common areas
Even solar panels can be used in for lighting in common areas like staircase,parking space. It will lower down the maintenance cost for the flat-owners’ association. It will also make a big difference in common area as well as to the apartment owner.
Some innovative ways to generate electricity
- Bicycle Power: The bicycle powered generator can be used to generate electricity. The idea is not new and is widely used in many countries. In 2012, Mysore palace (India)was lightened up for an hour with 10 bicycles pedaled for 10 hours.
- Dance Power: Extra power can be generated by using high-energy environment of the dance party. Dance floor generators are installed for this purpose. It will generate power for the lights and sound system.
Products and Services offered by vendors
Many vendors provide service to different kinds of solar and wind systems such as solar pool heat exchanger, DC solar pump, solar one solar lightning, solar water heater, uni solar laminate, solar hot water tubes and many more.
Along with wide range of products they offer services like consulting, design of renewable energy systems, installation, commissioning etc.
