Any good sites that explain wind and solar power generating in simple terms?

Question

I'm looking for something showing me what I need and what the components do

Answer 1

If you wanted to get low cost power, the leader right now is NANOSOLAR... a technology that cuts the cost of solar power to about $0.3 per watt of maximum capacity (compare to other solar at $3. a watt  $1.1 for wind.

Now be careful to factor in the number of hours on average you might expect to get power. Wind power may give you 20% to 30% full capacity hours, and solar may deliver 13% to 30% of its full capacity. But at $0.3 /watt, it becomes competitive with coal.

Now here is the down side. NANOSOLAR has committed sales for all of its production for 2008, and will  likely be soon booked up through 2010. They have built far too small a factory to supply world demand at this price. (Germany has bought all for this year, and appears ready to buy next year.)

Unfortunately, as a result resellers have to guide prospective buyers to other manufacturers even though costs will be an order of magnitude higher.

Answer 2

There are some that are more technical than others but for sheer range of information as well as the all important "What do I need to do this?" answers, I would say try this site:

http://www.siliconsolar.com/

Not only is it well laid out, it is straight to the point, offers packages as well as excellent explanations of all the components...

Hope that helps!