Is Northern Ohio a good place to use solar and wind energy?

Question

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?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

The weather service may have a wind map of your area. Places right on the shore often have good wind, because there is nothing to obstruct the wind coming over the ocean or lake.



Unless you live on the ridge of a mountain, you would probably put a windmill on a tower. There's a reason windmills are all on towers. The wind is higher speed and more consistent say, 30 or 40 feet up.



I suspect a photovoltaic system would not be cost effective at this time. However, solar hot water might still work for you. These systems can even heat water in the winter, amazingly. Since it gets cold in Ohio, you'd want the kind of system that can tolerate a hard freeze - such as the type that heats antifreeze, then circulates that through a closed system to heat the water inside the house.

Answer 3

No. The sun does not shine in the winter due to lake Erie. Wind may be a little more effective but I don't think it will be reliable.

Answer 4

Solar Power Design Manual - http://Solar.eudko.com/?HRY