LOCATION
Situated on a small farm about 17 km north west of Denmark
CONSTRUCTION
The house has rammed earth walls on a concrete slab and a metal roof which is insulated with wool. There is a large skylight in the roof which can be opened or closed for heating or cooling the house. A wood burning stove is used for cooking and occasionally for heating on cool days, and water is heated using a wood stove.
THE SYSTEM
The system involves a wind turbine located 40 metres from the house on a 26 metre tower and 4 solar modules. The usual range of household appliances operate on 240 volt AC power. The system does not include a back-up generator and during periods of light wind the careful use of electricity is required to avoid over discharge of the battery bank.
INSTALLATION
The initial wind turbine system was installed in June 1992 and the solar modules were added in May 1994.
The initial installation cost $17,100 and the additional solar modules cost $4,480
RELIABILITY
The system has proved extremely reliable.
MAINTENANCE
Little maintenance has been required other than routine topping-up of batteries.
RUNNING COSTS
Costs will vary from year to year and are likely to increase as the system ages. Battery replacement is likely to be the major item and it would be prudent to assume a need to replace batteries about every 5 to 10 years.
Due care and proper maintenance will prolong the life of most components of the system.
REASON FOR SELECTION
The owners prefer to use wind and solar power.
| E Q U I P M E N T S P E C I F I C A T I O N |
Wind Turbine
1 only Survivor S5000 wind turbine.
Solar Modules
4 only BP Solarex MSX 83 modules.
Batteries
24 only Suncycle 2 volt 310/590 ampere hour batteries.
Inverter/ Charger
1 only Siemens Sunsine 4000 watt.
Regulator
2 only Seminar Solaflow regulator.
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