Wind Power

[muzzelloader]

Not quite sure am in right place here but my question is has anyone any info about using windmills for power and skipping the electric use. I appears that most systems I have looked at are very dependent on the electric co. I am thinking of solar energy for heat and windmills for water pumping power.

[keith_r]

the problem with windmills is what if there's no wind? a combination of solar and wind with a battery bank might be a good way to go

[jcx]

Anyone ever wonder why they don't make wind mills out of solar panels?

:lol: :arrow: :idea: :ugeek: :twisted: <==| Thats me using my idea to take over the world :D

[badflash]

I like the idea, but there just isn't that much surface area on the blade. I think the way to go is to use the windmill to compress air and store in in a big air receiver. You can power an AP system with air just as well as electricity.

[jcx]

Anyone ever wonder why they don't make wind mills out of solar panels?

:lol: :arrow: :idea: :ugeek: :twisted: <==| Thats me using my idea to take over the world :D

*Facepalm* ^^ That's me playing with smilies when I'm drunk.

[wh33t]

Not quite sure am in right place here but my question is has anyone any info about using windmills for power and skipping the electric use. I appears that most systems I have looked at are very dependent on the electric co. I am thinking of solar energy for heat and windmills for water pumping power.

Other than heat and artificial light, I think most of these Aquaponic systems use very little power. A small pond pump can water an entire garden if you use the river bed continuous flow system or a combination thereof.

I'm sure a small wind mill, a decent solar panel, and a battery or two would certainly be able to power your pump. One could also invest some time (or money if you prefer to buy one) in a passive solar heater. They are amazing devices. I plan to use one to heat my home this year. Here is an example of one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzxw1j-dzY4.

[rfeiller]

heating and lighting are big items. my pumps (water and air pumps) are 20watts each. my lights are 1000watts each (most use shop fl. lites that uses much less power and produce much less light). heating is 3000 watts and i live in what is considered a moderate climit in the San Francisco, Bay area. so every power need has to be included. solar and wind are dependent on days and duration of sunlight for solar and days of steady wind for wind power.

[wh33t]

heating and lighting are big items. my pumps (water and air pumps) are 20watts each. my lights are 1000watts each (most use shop fl. lites that uses much less power and produce much less light). heating is 3000 watts and i live in what is considered a moderate climit in the San Francisco, Bay area. so every power need has to be included. solar and wind are dependent on days and duration of sunlight for solar and days of steady wind for wind power.

If you get a fair bit of sun, then there is no reason you shouldn't be able to tap into the suns heating power. I have read information about how much solar energy strikes the earth on a sunny day. I think it's around 1kw equivalent per square meter.

As for lighting, I think your best alternate for lower power usage would have to be LED, color corrected to the specific spectrum you need placed very closely to the plants.

[urbanfarmer]

Anyone ever wonder why they don't make wind mills out of solar panels?

:lol: :arrow: :idea: :ugeek: :twisted: <==| Thats me using my idea to take over the world :D
Or how about making solar panels out of wind mills. Take a second and think about it! :lol:

[rfeiller]

leds look very promising, only takes a few thousand $ to buy. :)