Generating your own electricity from solar and wind power—whether on-grid or off-grid—is becoming increasingly common. In this post, you’ll learn most of what you need to know about generating your own electricity. Afterward, you’ll be well-equipped to generate your own green energy.
In addition to the practical details regarding generating your own electricity, we also have hybrid systems available in our online store. You can customize these to suit your energy needs and purchase your own hybrid system today.
Renewable and Self-Generated Energy
So what comes to mind when you hear “renewable energy”? Tall wind turbines, visible from several mil away, or rows and rows of solar panels stretching as far as the eye can see? Today, solar panels and wind turbines are becoming increasingly common in Sweden. When it comes to wind power, people mainly think of industrial wind power, not the small-scale wind power used for microgeneration of electricity.
The first solar panels arrived in Sweden as early as the 1970s and were, as we call them today, “off-grid,” meaning they were not connected to the power grid. The development of self-generated electricity from solar and wind power in Sweden has increased significantly in recent years and continues to grow. In 2018, the number of installed solar power systems increased by 10,200 to 25,486, representing a 67% increase in the number of systems and a 78% increase in installed capacity over the course of one year. Wind power is one of Sweden’s most important assets when it comes to renewable energy. Over the past 10 years, wind power in Sweden has seen explosive growth, with production rising from 2,490 GWh to 19,847 GWh.
In 2020, we generated more electricity from renewable energy sources than from fossil fuels for the first time since the Industrial Revolution. The future is fossil-free, and we’ve come a long way.
Generating Your Own Electricity from the Sun and Solar Power
To generate your own electricity from the sun, you need solar cells that are connected together in solar panels to capture the sun’s rays and convert them into energy. This happens when the sun’s rays hit the top of the solar cell, making it negatively charged, and the bottom of the panel positively charged, which generates direct current. To then convert the direct current to alternating current, an inverter is required.
The most common setups for solar panels today involve installing them either on rooftops or on the ground in long rows. The most important factor when it comes to generating your own electricity from the sun is to install the solar panels at the correct orientation and angle. As a general rule, for maximum efficiency, the panels should face south, southwest, or southeast, and the angle of the solar panels should be between 10 and 50 degrees.
How much electricity can the sun provide me with?
The sun is an enormous source of energy that constantly emits vast amounts of energy; in the course of 2 hours, Earth receives the same amount of solar energy that the world’s population consumes in an entire year. There are some myths suggesting that Sweden’s climate and location make solar power a poor option, but that is incorrect. There is a rule of thumb that states 800 hours of sunshine per year is what is required for an investment in solar panels to be considered a good one.
Sweden has about 1,100 hours of sunshine per year, and solar panels don’t need clear blue skies and sunshine to generate their own electricity from the sun—they just need daylight. Another advantage of the Swedish climate is that temperatures are often lower than in other parts of the world, which is also beneficial because solar panels perform better when it’s not too hot.
The amount of solar electricity that can be generated depends primarily on the number and type of solar panels and hybrid systems installed. As a rule of thumb in Sweden, annual production is 800–1,100 kWh per installed kilowatt-peak (kWp). The energy from the sun is there; it’s all about being able to capture it and convert it into solar electricity.
Generating Your Own Electricity from Wind and Wind Power
Harnessing wind power to generate energy has a long tradition in Sweden. Windmills were in constant use until the advent of the Industrial Revolution, which replaced them with steam power. Sweden is an excellent country when it comes to generating electricity from wind. This is due to a number of factors, including Sweden’s long coastline.
Wind power technology is constantly evolving and making the production of electricity from wind more efficient. This includes everything from taller towers and larger blades to turbines that are both bigger and even more efficient. To generate electricity from wind power, wind is needed to spin the turbine blades, which in turn drives a generator, producing electrical energy in the form of direct current. The direct current is then sent to a transformer, which converts it into alternating current—the type of electricity that powers our electronics today.
How do I know if the wind is strong enough?
The easiest way to determine how windy the installation site is, is to check the nearest weather station to see what the average annual wind speed is. This is also something you can ask the company whose products you’re interested in investing in. That’s why InnoVentum’s small-scale wind turbines for homes, businesses, and farms are an excellent choice. Our hybrid power plants are capable of generating their own electricity from solar and wind power at wind speeds as low as 2 m/s.
There is also a general rule of thumb when it comes to wind conditions:
- 4.5 m/s – Towns and small cities
- 5.5 m/s – Farmland with small buildings
- 6.5 m/s – Open-plan offices
Of course, there are many factors that affect wind; the closer you are to the coast, the stronger the wind. Then there’s a phenomenon called “wind corridors,” which can be explained by how large streets lined with tall buildings can experience extremely strong winds.
Sun and Wind – A Hybrid System
A hybrid system for sustainable energy production consists of at least two components; the most common combination for generating one’s own electricity is solar and wind power. Using a hybrid system to combine electricity generation from solar and wind power is optimal. Solar power is most efficient during the summer and during the day, while wind power generates electricity around the clock, year-round, and is usually most efficient during the winter months. By combining solar and wind power, you have a reliable energy source around the clock, year-round.
Good for your wallet and the planet
By installing and using hybrid energy production systems, you’re doing something good for the planet and the environment. There are two types of systems: grid-connected and off-grid. With a grid-connected system, you have the option to sell any surplus energy that’s produced. If you also include energy storage in the form of a battery, you can save that excess energy until it’s needed—such as when consumption exceeds production or during a power outage. With an off-grid system, you’re not connected to the power grid but are entirely dependent on your own on-site production, or on a battery to store energy and use it when needed.
When it comes to solar and wind power combined, it is one of the most cost-effective energy sources available. For off-grid applications, it is more efficient than using generators. Furthermore, hybrid systems consume no fuel.
Today, there are opportunities to claim a tax deduction for labor costs through the RUT deduction or to take advantage of the new “Green Technology” deduction of up to 30% or 50,000 SEK when it comes to the labor and costs associated with a grid-connected solar power system.
Electrical Safety When Installing Systems for Generating Your Own Electricity
When installing solar and wind power systems, it is important to have skilled and trained professionals who know what they are doing. These power generation systems are classified as high-voltage installations and should therefore only be installed by trained personnel in accordance with, among other things, the Electrical Safety Act.
There are obligations for both the buyer and the installer that should be followed to ensure reliable operation. One of the obligations of a solar panel system owner is to ensure that the system is properly maintained and safe.
I hope this post has given you a clearer understanding of how to generate your own electricity and what you need to do to succeed in this endeavor.
If you have any questions or concerns about generating your own energy from solar and wind power, please feel free to contact us. Feel free to leave a comment, and we’ll respond as soon as possible here—or in a separate post.
Remember that you can find high-quality, eco-friendly energy solutions for generating your own electricity in our online store.
Take care!
