Hi which is the best solar panels or wind turbines and why. For my narrowboat?
Question:
Answer:
Solar panels.
No doubt if the application is on a narrowboat.
If you want more specific information feel free to email me at admin@sailingunlimited.net
Best regards,
Geoff
solar panels are perhaps more expensive and less efficient (though depends where you and when you intend to use your narrowboat). BUT, wind turbines will definately make more noise and are bl**dy unsightly.
Actually, both. You need the solar panels for obvious reasons but when the sun is shining you need a wind turbine. Southwest Windpower used to make a "marine" turbine. Perhaps they still do.
The guy at the other end of my road has a wind turbine and it isn't that noisy and looks pretty cool.
I'd say solar panels make the most sense on the roof and/or down the sides. There's no way you could keep a turbine permanently installed on some canals, like those with tunnels. There are some portable turbines that you could erect when you moor.
wind turbines depend on wind to drive them much the same as solar panels depend on the sun,obviously you best option would be to utilise both depending on which is more suitable on the particular day,many fit solar panels as permanent in the roof etc,but they would be far more efficient mounted as a tiltable panel to give them optimum daylight depending which side or angle the sun is on for maximum efficiency.depending on the depth of water and speed you travel at i have heard of towable generators but whether they would suit a long boat you would have to enquire.
Aerogen are without the best wind generator on the market. 5 bladed, smooth and quiet and has a good output. I know, I've had them all over the years and my Aero6Gen is the best. Siemens solar panels are streets ahead of other manufacturers. To harness the best of alternate energy you should have both.
Have a look at www.adverc.co.uk?
Solar panels and wind turbines have their place but you get scant return in reality.
Solar panels definately!
Your question does not ask to compare solar panel efficiency to that of wind chargers, your question asks to choose between the two for application on a narrow boat.
The answer therefore is solar panels.
However, it is not that simple because you would need to determine how much your desired running systems would draw in Amps, how many batteries and what amp hourage they are / would need to be and then you could work out the wattage required from your solar panel or panels.
If you want to email me, I can help with such calculations should you need help.
Sue
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