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Winter Chills Green Energy

Renewable energy industry works to deal with seasonal variations

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2008 7:03 AM CST
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(Newser) – Winter weather is cooling newfound enthusiasm for renewable energy, the New York Times reports. Solar panels get snowed up or suffer from lack of sunlight on short winter days, and biodiesel sometimes congeals in cold weather. Wintry weather is a plus for wind power, but turbines can get iced up and some observers say they hurl chunks of ice as they turn.

Green energy doesn't provide enough of the nation's power for the seasonal variations to be a problem yet, and the nascent renewable energy industry is working on ways to avoid the worst impacts of ice snow. Owners of solar panels say that clearing the snow off has become another winter chore—but one that's sometimes rewarded with lots of power from brilliant winter sunshine.

Wind-power developers say the icy conditions make winter the hardest time of year to maintain wind turbines.
Wind-power developers say the icy conditions make winter the hardest time of year to maintain wind turbines.   (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper )
Central Illinois grain farmer Mike Doyle walks across a snow-covered field full of wind turbines on his farm in Arrowsmith, Ill., earlier this month.
Central Illinois grain farmer Mike Doyle walks across a snow-covered field full of wind turbines on his farm in Arrowsmith, Ill., earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Solar panels in a deep freeze.
Solar panels in a deep freeze.   (©Mike Weston)
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Industry denies turbine 'ice-throwing' a problem
New York Times

Green-collar jobs compete for stimulus cash
Washington Post

Off-gridders learn to live with the cold
Austin American-Statesman

 
alternative energy • biodiesel • green energy • renewable energy • solar power • winter • wind power • winter weather

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