Solar is a non-starter at this latitude, with the lowest sunlight period of 8 hours during the dead of winter, when energy is needed most. Considering the angle the sunlight hits the array is important as well, with the sun low on the horizon in winter, that means near vertical arrays (otherwise known in nautical terms as "sails"). A 'breezy' day here has 15 mph, a windy one upwards of 35 with gusts at 50+. just keeping that setup together would require sacrifice of efficiency or seriously strong and expensive mounts.
Wind has possibilities here, but again, there is sometimes too much of a 'good' thing. One turbine 'melting down' could start off a prairie fire that would burn off thousands of acres of prairie with the wrong conditions (dry, high biomass) and a strong wind. But we have oil, gas, and coal in abundance.
Most off-grid up in here are on generator supplementation though December and January... That is why I am increasing normal panels and batteries by a full third over what my neighbors here have. In theory, I could stow a full third of my system through most of the year, it being there mainly for winter alone. I am building it FOR those two months, having a massive overage most of the year.
Likewise the investment in batteries too - Though only a third of those are set to be LIRON off the get go...
Where I am being an idiot is in the 'flower' style array... And I know it. But if I am right, and if I can make it work, it will not only be self adjusting for optimal service, it will also be self protecting - I don't have to be there to have it fold itself up in windy conditions. nor will I have to keep it clear of snow, as it will fold up and deploy according to conditions... And each of the flowers is self contained, so once I get this figured out (IF I get it figured out) I can easily add or subtract units as needed.
As to it being able to deploy in wind, the whole thing is well casing and 1 1/2 square steel tubing... Al on bearings, so I can move it easily with my hand. So it can certainly take a breeze. And actuators are not going to have a problem.
But that's the tinker in me... Perhaps I can't make it work, and I have to go back to a rigid system that is susceptible to rain and snow, and fire and debris... one that I will have to go shovel off every time it snows. Forgive me the attempt and the eccentricity. I am a lazy bastard in the end.
