Wind power performs exceptionally well in coastal regions, where ocean winds are constant and reliable. In our local region, our distance from the coast and our mountainous alpine landscape make winds very unpredictable. We experience a range of still days through to gale force winds, meaning it is almost impossible to rely on wind power alone.
However, if you are running an off-grid system, wind power can still be used as a welcome supplement to your solar array, particularly if you don’t have access to running water to create a hydro generation system.
When used as a supplementary supply, wind power can be advantageous. It can provide you with energy when your solar array is unable, thus improving the overall reliability of your system. This is particularly useful at night, when your solar array is not generating at all. This secondary backup gives your system the ability to maintain power when the solar array might not have been able to keep up.