To Dan's surprise, solar has supplied three times more power than wind. It seems like when the wind isn't blowing the sun is out, and when the sun isn't out the wind is blowing. A battery system stores power and can operate the home for three days without recharging. I wanted to know if this would work in Iowa and found out that investing in this is about the same as investing in a SUV or minivan, but it's an investment in the future. The Isbells also tap into a new state program through the Iowa Energy Center at Iowa State University.
Engineers there help homeowners or towns design alternative energy systems.