Running A Successful Off-Grid Business
The 1000-watt turbine collects the wind and sends it to the Whisper Charge Controller. The direct current (DC) is carried in from the turbine and is protected with a safety brake, which can be used if power needs to be immediately shut down. The Whisper Charge Controller, designed by Southwest Windpower, then takes the DC and pushes it into an Outback 3524 inverter that morphs the energy into an alternating current (AC). That AC power is then pushed into the “load,” or the stored energy that can be used for every day appliances like microwaves and TVs. The solar panel system that Rodriguez partners with the turbine, works similarly—using a Xantrax 5548 inverter and charge controller constructed for a solar network.
“The system is designed what it is advertised to do,” said Rodriguez, who has been satisfied with the Whisper 200 since he purchased the product. He has never had any major issues with the turbine, he said, and has only taken it down twice in its lifetime for routine maintenance.
The Wind-Solar Fusion: Creating A Hybrid System
The Whisper turbine supplies about 20 to 30 percent of power to the office building, which uses approximately 5 to 8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. When the shop needs power, the Rodriguez’ don’t need to worry, it’s always at the ready stored in batteries. When there is enough wind in Penrose, the entire business can be run off the turbine sans the help of PV energy.
“We chose Whisper because of reliability, brand awareness– [the] brand name is there. Of course, living with a turbine at our house has been helpful in selling it,” said Rodriguez.
Growing Up Off-Grid
The couple’s two children had a valuable experience of growing up off-grid. The family lived on 10 acres of land, which allowed them to run their household entirely away from the utility company for six years, until they moved into a new home that is on-grid.
Exposing their children to renewable energies in the home–both wind and solar–conservation became a way of life.
“It’s was a great experience for the kids to grow up off-grid, because if the power went out, we didn’t know it,” he said. “We still had lights.” He noted that they were more aware of turning off the lights as they left a room, a habitual lesson that is now ingrained.
With his personal application of renewable energy at his home combined with his business sophistication, Rodriguez uses an exemplary sales pitch as an advantage when discussing system options to his customers. His testimonies and anecdotes allow customers to see the versatility of clean energy systems. The framework can be altered for different objectives, but the core never changes; it’s a step closer to a cleaner and more efficient environment.
“The best part is that we’re not buying any power from the grid,” Rodriguez said. “It’s free power.”
Tips From a Pro
He advises those seeking to purchase a turbine to be mindful of its siting. Correctly placing the turbine varies on the location it is placed in.
Rodriguez uses Sitelook™ specifically for Southwest Windpower’s Skystream 3.7™, his second turbine; however, the tool can be used for Southwest Windpower’s AIR and Whisper turbines as a general guide to properly site your turbine.
Looking Into The Future
Looking into the future, he sees a general shift in renewables-- with the expanding market and available products, such as Southwest’s Skystream 3.7, a grid-tied turbine.
“That’s been a huge improvement in wind power,” he said. “Just having a unit that can actually be grid-tie and basically plug it in. I see more and more people looking for ways to get off the grid or at least supplement the grid.”
Do you have a diesel as a backup system running? What is your fuel consumption per year?
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