Another solar panel or a wind turbine for the narrowboat?

boisdevie · Post by **boisdevie** » 22 Oct 2018, 18:21

I have 400w of solar on my narrowboat which isn't enough for the winter. Would I be be better off adding more solar or a wind turbine. Obviously the second option offers flexibility in that when the sun isn't shining the wind might be blowing BUT wind turbines seem very expensive compared to solar panels - an 80w Rutland turbine is close to Â£400 which would get me another 400w of solar.

I'd appreciate any thoughts/comments.

Post by **adam2** » 22 Oct 2018, 21:17

Unless the site is unusually windy, I would go for the extra PV.
400 Watts of PV will in practice put about 20amps into a 12 volt battery, maybe 25 amps with a MPPT.

In a UK winter we get about one hour of peak sun equivalent a day, so the 400 watts of PV will give about 20 to 25 AH a day in winter.
An 80 watt wind turbine is unlikely to equal that on most inland low level sites.

The larger Rutland wind turbines on a good site area very different proposition, I know someone who has just installed one.

Mr. Fox · Post by **Mr. Fox** » 23 Oct 2018, 10:04

I'd second Adams comment: go for the extra PV.

IME little turbines (< 1kW) are a waste of time and money.

Potemkin Villager · Post by **Potemkin Villager** » 23 Oct 2018, 13:08

Concur with above. A small petrol generator to recharge your batteries during periods of really dire weather might be useful. Small wind turbines run too fast for my liking and can have an unhappy short life unless they can be located well away from turbulence inducing objects.

Post by **adam2** » 23 Oct 2018, 13:38

Indeed, I know of several people with the larger Rutland turbines, they are very pleased with them, these are however better value in terms of Â£/watt and are installed in favourable locations, not comparable with the O/Ps circumstances.

PV modules have become a great deal cheaper in recent years due to the huge numbers manufactured.
Large, multi megawatt turbines have also become a lot cheaper due to booming demand.
Smaller turbines for domestic and similar sized applications have not declined much in price because demand for these has only increased modestly.

If the electricity is wanted primarily for lighting, then wind turbines can be the best option in SUITABLE LOCATIONS.
Wind power is at its greatest roughly when the need for artificial lighting is greatest. PV is of course at its lowest ebb when most needed for lighting.
A large domestic wind turbine, 5Kw or more can power significant heating and reduce consumption of other fuels.
I mention these points only for completeness and accuracy, they are not much relevant to the O/P.

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 23 Oct 2018, 14:21

adam2 wrote:....The larger Rutland wind turbines on a good site area very different proposition, I know someone who has just installed one.

What size are you talking about, Adam?

Post by **adam2** » 23 Oct 2018, 14:56

I think, from memory that they are Rutland 1803, 24 volt version.

I have just updated an old thread about friends who suffered from a house fire. Two of these wind turbines are installed there.
And another one at the "post peak lodging house" discussed in the thread of that title.
The most recent was mentioned in this thread http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/forum/vie ... hp?t=26937