How do photovoltaics and balcony wind power work and how much do you save on your bill?
In addition to large roof and garden systems, there are “mini” photovoltaic and wind systems that can be installed on the balcony. Here is how much they produce.
With the soaring costs of electric energy because of the war in Ukraine, many are seriously starting to think about producing energy autonomously and cleanly, thanks to “green” systems photovoltaic ed wind turbines designed for the casa. However, not everyone can afford large roof systems in the da garden to achieve the coveted energy independence, moreover, it is not always possible to mount them; just think of those who live in a condominium or historic districts with strict limitations.
This, however, does not mean being completely excluded from the precious ones renewable essential to stem the threat of climate change. There are versions of “minutes balcony – come micro turbine e plug & play solar panels – at relatively low costs (especially with dedicated bonuses) and which can generally be installed with fewer bureaucratic flaws. They will not lead to energy independence because they are not very powerful, but over time they pay for themselves and can guarantee a cut on bills.
What is plug & play photovoltaics and how does it work?
By plug & play photovoltaics we mean a small solar panel system that can be quickly placed and used easily via a plug, as the name of the device suggests. According to what is indicated by the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment (ARERA), the plug & play devices are those “with nominal active power less than or equal to 350 W, which do not require installation and which can be directly connected by consumers to a dedicated socket “.
Those between 350 W and 800 W are instead the so-called “mini photovoltaics“. Since 2020, thanks to resolution 315/2020 / R / eel which amended the Integrated Text for Active Connections (TICA), for all these systems below 800 W the connection procedures, previously envisaged for flow rate systems, have been greatly simplified. superior. In simple terms, the consumer will just need to send the distributor a form called Single Communication (prepared by the same Authority) without having to pay anything.
However, no remuneration is envisaged for any energy fed into the grid. After making sure not to break any condominium or municipal regulations, a miniature photovoltaic system (consisting of panels, inverter, and frame) can be mounted on the terrace, in the garden, on the roof, etc, etc and is ready for use to provide green energy.
As indicated by the specialized portal “loweralebollette.”, a plug and play photovoltaic panel of about 300 W (+/- 10 percent) correctly oriented and installed at the right angle “is capable of producing approx 400 kWh of electricity per year ”, with slight variations between Northern and Southern Italy. Considering a cost of 0.50 cents per kWh, you can save 200 Euros a year on the bill. A plant of this type can cost between 200 and 800 Euros; considering the presence of accumulators.
What is the mini wind turbine and how it works?
In particularly windy places it is possible to exploit the strength of this element (wind power) to generate electricity. Not everyone can install a large turbine in the garden or on the roof of the house, but just like the plug & play photovoltaic there are domestic solutions that can be connected to the railing of a terrace or the wall.
For the National Wind Energy Association (ANEV) we mean mini wind power plants those that reach up to 100 kW of power, even if for private homes usually systems are used tra I 3 kW ei 6 kW, with turbines available vertically or horizontally. There is also the “micrologic” With wind turbines between 300 and 500 W, comparable in power to balcony photovoltaics. In the latter case rotors are generally small in size – below one meter – and can begin to gather energy even in light winds, of a few meters per second.
The savings can be considerable for mini wind systems in windy environments – a 3 kW one can satisfy a good percentage of the annual consumption – while with micro wind turbines there is no deviation from plug & play photovoltaics of the same power, with savings of up to 200 EUR. Also in this case it is necessary to be sure to be able to connect the systems (also pay attention to the heights) and for those below 800 W, the Single Communication form must be filled in. Wind power plants can cost anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of Euros.
Reference: Wikipedia
