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Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources are constantly being renewed or restored from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, and moving water. Photovoltaic (solar electric) systems are solar energy systems that produce electricity directly from sunlight.  A wind turbine converts the kinetic energy from air current flowing across the earth’s surface into rotational energy which spins an electric generator that produces electricity. Similarly, a water turbine converts the movement of water into rotational motion which spins an electric generator producing electric energy.

Wind and water turbines require considerable engineering and cost to safely install.  Wind turbines are placed on top of towers requiring guy wires to secure the tower against the forces of the wind interacting with the turbine.  A water turbine is located on a river or stream to harvest the energy of moving or falling water. The water needs to be contained in a pipe before passing through the turbine. Directing the water to a pipe and securing the pipe mandates extensive engineering and construction. Photovoltaics are simpler to install as there are several manufacturers of the panels and mounting systems. Obviously, sunlight is much more readily available as compared to the proper site for a wind or water turbine.

Author: William D. Wright, PE
NABCEP - Certified PV Installer
bwright@powerquestglobal.com

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Waynesville Physical Address

376 Grindstone Road
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 452-2281 or (800) 951-6088
(828) 926-4290 Fax

Lake Toxaway Physical Address

298 Blue Ridge Road
Lake Toxaway, NC 28747
(828) 966-4215
(828) 883-3874 Fax

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©2023 Haywood EMC. All Rights Reserved.

  • About Us
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Board of Directors
    • Management Team
    • Employment
    • Cooperative Principles
      • Cooperative Difference Video
    • Service Territory Map
    • Together We Save
    • News Posts
  • Member Services
    • Capital Credits
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Outstanding Capital Credits
    • Billing and Payment Information
      • Easy Ways to Pay
      • Delinquent Bill Timeline
    • Service Rules & Regulations
      • Smart Meter Energy Usage Data Privacy/Security Advisory
      • Title VI Statement of Non-discrimination
    • New Service
      • Application for Electric Service
    • Co-op Connections
    • Rate Schedules
      • EV Rates
      • Time Of Day Rates
    • Safety
      • Storm Preparedness
      • Safety Quiz
      • Tree Trimming
    • Service Forms
      • Service Order Form
      • Medical Condition And Equipment Form
    • Text Outage Alerts
  • Products
    • HomeServe Protection Plans
    • Surge Protection Program
    • Generators
      • Generator Loan
      • Generlink
    • Heat Pump/Weatherization Loan
      • Heat Pumps
    • Security Lighting
  • Your Community
    • Bright Ideas Grants
    • Project HEMC
    • Around the Community
    • The Haywood EMC Podcast
    • Carolina Country Magazine
    • TSE Sports Camp Scholarship
    • News
    • TSE Scholarship
    • Youth Tour
  • Energy Efficiency
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Whole House Energy Audit
    • NC GreenPower
    • Together We Save
    • Energy Star Home Advisor
  • Renewable Energy
    • Renewable Energy Site Assessments
      • Solar Site Assessment
      • Hydro Site Assessment
      • Wind Turbine Site Assessment
    • Renewable Rates
      • RGR Rate
      • RGS Rate
    • Solar with Haywood EMC
      • Certificate Of Completion
      • Typical Components Of A Solar Interconnected System
    • Contracts With Haywood EMC
    • Renewable Energy Information
    • Renewable Energy Sources
    • Interconnection With Haywood EMC
      • Interconnect Application