DESCRIPTION

For those who live in remote areas or who wish to rely on the national grid as little as possible, a hybrid system can provide ALL of your energy needs by harnessing a combination of natural energy sources. In order to maximise the efficiency of the system, you'll need to know which renewable energy sources will provide the most power in your location, whether you get a lot of wind, live next to a year-round river, or enjoy a lot of clear, sunny weather. In most cases, a combination of different power sources will be needed.

The most common and versatile system would probably include solar panels for sunny days, wind generators for inclement weather, a back up generator for weeks when mother nature refuses to cooperate, and a heat pump to provide the space heating (providing the property is sufficiently insulated). People lucky enough to live near a river or large year-round stream could possibly power their whole house with only 1 or 2 micro-hydro generators.

Your individual location and energy needs will determine your individual system. The average 1930’s 3-bed semi-detached property uses around 4,700kW/h per year, although newer properties with better insulation and heating systems use a lot less (you can check your energy usage simply by checking your gas and electricity bills).

Once you look at how much power you're using, you may find some areas where you can reduce your electrical usage, through new habits or improved insulation. How much power you use determines how many solar panels you need to fit on your roof, how large that wind generator needs to be, and whether alternative energy can really meet all your needs. In some cases, an engine generator may be a necessity, rather than a back up measure.

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