Why are you deploying more wind than solar?

On Island, we use more electricity in winter than we do in summer. Generally, this is because the days are shorter and there is a need to use lighting earlier in our homes. Electric heating is also utilised in winter when the temperature is cooler and hot electric showers are more likely to be used.

Wind speeds are highest in winter on Island which means a windfarm will produce most of its power in winter, when our demand is the highest.

Solar panels produce most of their power over the summer months, with longer days and with the sun higher in the sky. The time solar power produces most power, is the time when demand is lowest. If this excess power cannot be exported, it must be curtailed which results in higher costs to consumers.

While the cost of generating from solar can be very low, the total system costs resulting from curtailment and balancing of solar are significantly higher. The cost of wind, once system costs are factored in, are actually much lower than solar.