Solar Panel - Light energy from the sun is converted directly to electricity by solar photovoltaic panels. A solar panel typically produces between 125 and 225 watts and is normally rated for battery charging at 12 volt.  Solar panels are connected together to establish the proper voltage and the power rating. Solar energy is available in abundance virtually everywhere in the United States and suitable for use in both rural and urban areas on any building with a roof that the sun shines on.

1. Advantages: 5 billion years of proven reserves, abundantly available everywhere, no waste heat, no dangerous exhaust gas, no radioactive waste, no moving parts, highly reliable, long life, no maintenance, maximum energy output coincides with the peak daily and annual electrical demand, ...
   

2. Disadvantages: Energy available only during daylight hours, clouds reduce the available energy
   

Wind Generator - Solar energy heating gradients and rotation of earth create moving air with kinetic energy - the wind. The wind turns the propellor of a wind generator to produce electricity at a specified voltage with a power rating proportional to the square of the propellor diameter and cube of the wind speed. The energy in the wind compliments solar energy geographically and on a short and long term basis and is practical over large areas of the northern and central United States for rural applications.

1. Advantages: 5 billion years of proven reserves, abundantly available in a majority of places, no waste heat, no dangerous exhaust gas, no radioactive waste,, compliments solar energy on a daily, annual, local, and regional basis
   

2. Disadvantages: Wind speed and thus energy vary with time, periods of calm, best suited to rural areas and not practical for use in cities and towns, commercially viable small and medium wind generators are limited.
   

Genset - Assures a continuous supply of electricity, when fuel is available, for the stand alone hybrid for minimal use during unusually long cloudy and calm wind periods or for high short term demand. The electricity produced can be used to charge the battery or supplied directly to utilization equipment. A genset can be the primary source for a larger system for a rural town or community. Today, the most common gensets operate on both liquid and gaseous fuels - gasoline/diesel and propane(LP)/natural gas, respectively. The gaseous fuels are widely available, have clean exhaust products, start easier, have lower maintenance, and longer life. In the future, biofuels should be developed along with generating equipment to utilize them. Biofuels are a class defined by their direct relationship to solar energy and availability on a sustainable basis - i.e. alcohol from plants, plant oils, methane from waste decomposition, plant solids, and a very long list of potential sources locally, regionally, or nationally

1. Advantages: Electricity on demand, high quality products available, LP and natural gas widely used, full range of power from 1kW to 2500 kW
   

2. Disadvantages: Noise, fuel, exhaust gases, present lack of clean biofuel equipment, ...
   

Other - This represents a broad category of sources that have limited or localized significance and can enhance the advantages or ameliorate the disadvantages of the other sources. The list of possibilities is limited only by human imagination and ingenuity. A few examples could include using small scale hydro power, a tractor PTO generator, a hybrid or electric vehicle, steam source, tidal or wave energy, even the grid, ... .

1. Advantages: Endless possibilities, ...
   

2. Disadvantages: Limited equipment, limited potential
   

Battery - A battery stores solar and wind energy when it is available for use when it is not available and thus ensures a continuous supply to meet demand in most cases. The number of cells in a battery determines the system voltage and the cell size determines the energy storage capacity. It is a direct current device and is compatible with solar panels and wind generators and can also accept energy from gensets, other sources, and even the grid.

1. Advantages: Silent operation, high power capability, stable precise power, highly reliable, highly recyclable/reusable, long-life
   

2. Disadvantages: Finite storage capacity, minor maintenance, lack of dc utilization equipment
   

Grid - For homes and businesses in cities large and small, the central station network can benefit by serving the same purpose as a battery to help utilize the solar and wind electricity when it is being produced and supply electricity when generation is low or absent.

1. Advantages: Available everywhere, facilitates solar energy use in cities large and small, continuous supply, transitional medium to full electrical independence, good for backup,
   

2. Disadvantages: Inefficient with excessive waste heat, exhaust gases, and radioactive waste, unsightly distribution and transmission lines everywhere, monthly service fee, rising prices, lack of control, ... 
   

Hybrid Electric Power Plant - After selecting a type, size, and the components, the process becomes personalized by the location and circumstances under consideration. To learn how build a hybrid electric plant  for your home or business continue to:

1. Historic Hybrid for a description of our experiences configuring and living with a hybrid electric plant.
   

2. Tech Talk for a discussion dedicated to exchanging ideas, information, knowledge, and experience.
   

3. Resources for continued learning with useful information links, contact information, and publications
   

4. Store for books, reprints, and apparel
   

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