solar power at our home
Is Northern Ohio a good place to use solar and wind energy?
My family is thinking of using a solar panel and a windmill to power our home. Do you think this would work well in Northern Ohio?
Katie,
I am a wind resource meteorologist, so hopefully I am able to give you some insight. For a wind turbine, it depends exactly where you reside in Northern Ohio. If you are living in an urban area, it is advisable to not waste your time or money. Northwestern Ohio is quite a good location for wind feasibility, as well as any area right along the lakefront. Right along the PA border, the wind increases again with an increase in topography. Areas in the central part of the Northern half of Ohio are quite poor for wind availability.
As for solar, it would certainly work, however it would likely not be as cost-efficient as a wind turbine, depending on your exact location. If you are willing to pay the extra money to go solar, then go for it, Northern Ohio gets about as much incoming solar energy as New York City and Boston.
You can reference: http://firstlook.3tiergroup.com/, and it will give you a first order look at both wind and solar resources in a google maps window.
Powered by Sunshine! Our house goes solar electric!
