Solar power or Wind energy?

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Well our building will have its AGM the coming month just got the circular...

As from long time a matter regarding Solar energy was pending...and as always least members are interested in society affair...

Now i have a feeling wind energy to b more cheaper in installation and much better in conserving energy compare to solar power.....I dont know exactly but just have this feeling...

Also the government helps or give some tax benefits in setting installation(i guess in both case)
The purpose for the energy will b staircase lightning.....Our building is 7 +
stilt floors long...so 8 floors total.....

Please give some points....or let me know advantage disadvantage of both.....and any help in getting same or any con related to any..etc....

I prefer Wind over solar because the panels cost ard 10 lakhs(minimum what i read in an article was 2 lakhs for a bunglow)....but chances of it getting damage to is high....plus minimum help in rains...but wind is not a big problem at heights
 
imo both options are not viable since they cost relatively high compared to the output they give.

how will you capture wind energy? do you people plan to install a windmill next to the building? the noise generated by the revolving turbine will drive you people nuts over time.
 
solar is cheaper for 8 floors

only battery require maintenance

india has adequate solar light

8 floors each has 2 cfl then also adequate for 5-6 more cfl

check TATA BP SOLAR they have some damn good solar options

required voltage , autocut ,etc etc
 
Solar is better for a building your size. It would be either for electricity or hot water. As u r from Mumbai, it would be prolly for a bit of both. Batteries do not need much maintenance. Typical ROI period is 12 years or so. & yes, the BMC/ Govt discounts your society taxes if u have such measures, rain water harvesting etc done.
 
I think Tata BP solar is commercially available and proven. It might be a better option. Panels weigh less and there is no noise of operation. It takes up a bit of area though on your roof. Here in Bangalore, many people use these panels for solar water heating.

What are your options for wind energy? Is your area generally windy? A windmill weighs a ton and will put severe strain on the roof where it is placed. It can cause cracks and leakage.
 
How long is the break even time with solar or how long do the panels take to pay for themselves in electricity savings ?

Use the time required to generate electricity worth the cost of the panels :)

That will tell you when you are in the black and whether its worth it, considering the lifetime of the unit itself.
 
Does anyone have any specs on wind mills available out here?

As in how much they cost, and how much power they produce ?
 
Practicality counts here.

Harnessing solar energy is a more viable option(considering the scale) compared to wind energy simply because of the cost of equipment to harness the latter and produce the same amount of electricity as produced by the former.

A small wind turbine isn't going to generate enough power, compared to a bunch of solar panels. So it is wiser to invest in the same !

Initial cost of panels are high but well compensated by the power savings.

There aren't any small scale wind turbines here, that are effective enough to generate considerable power output.
 
^ I'm not so sure about that. The problem with solar, atleast in India, is that the panels are all sold at *ridiculous* prices. Even in optimal conditions.. with the kind of prices I saw, you will never break even! Its not that solar technology is that expensive, we're just paying the 'early adopter' premium right now. There are a couple of breakthroughs too that still need to hit the market (thin film solar panels), and those are expected to drop panel costs / increase efficiency even more.

I should know, my dad had shown me some quotes a couple of months back.. I did the math, and it was just not worth it. Of course this was with Chennai electricity rates (~Rs.3 / KWHr unit). No idea about Mumbai rates.

JFYI, a solar panel has a lifetime of 25 yrs at the max. In addition to that, its capacity keeps deteriorating every year (which is the reason it needs to be junked at the end of 25 yrs).
 
Crazy_Eddy said:
^ I'm not so sure about that. The problem with solar, atleast in India, is that the panels are all sold at *ridiculous* prices. Even in optimal conditions.. with the kind of prices I saw, you will never break even! Its not that solar technology is that expensive, we're just paying the 'early adopter' premium right now. There are a couple of breakthroughs too that still need to hit the market (thin film solar panels), and those are expected to drop panel costs / increase efficiency even more.

I should know, my dad had shown me some quotes a couple of months back.. I did the math, and it was just not worth it. Of course this was with Chennai electricity rates (~Rs.3 / KWHr unit). No idea about Mumbai rates.

JFYI, a solar panel has a lifetime of 25 yrs at the max. In addition to that, its capacity keeps deteriorating every year (which is the reason it needs to be junked at the end of 25 yrs).
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Was only trying to imply that Solar Energy can be effectively harnessed compared to Wind Energy, given the scale of implementation. ;)

Yes, solar panels are cheap and they may have a definite lifetime but do serve their purpose effectively and with relative ease.

Wind turbines are a completely different story.

:D
 
did you people look at LEd lights? since you want to save electricity, LED's are more superior and there are bright white leds nowdays to give bright light.

cost of led's will be more cheaper than the two options you are looking at. you could light up the whole building with leds for about less than 1/4th the price you will spend on solar panels alone.
 
6pack said:
did you people look at LEd lights? since you want to save electricity, LED's are more superior and there are bright white leds nowdays to give bright light.

cost of led's will be more cheaper than the two options you are looking at. you could light up the whole building with leds for about less than 1/4th the price you will spend on solar panels alone.
Click to expand...

LEDs are ideal for discrete rather residential (small-scale) lighting.
You'll need a hell lot of LEDs(clusters!) for commercial lighting purposes.
 
In my opinion, both are equally important!

Like during sunny days, solar panel will work and when there's cloud cover and winds blowing(monsoon nd stuff) wind energy can be used!

but if we compare wWind and solar energy, solar wins hands down! :)
 
sohail99 said:
In my opinion, both are equally important!

Like during sunny days, solar panel will work and when there's cloud cover and winds blowing(monsoon nd stuff) wind energy can be used!

but if we compare wWind and solar energy, solar wins hands down! :)
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Yeah, both are vital & viable...
But the discussion is on which can be harnessed effectively & economically for the current scale of implementation.
 
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