Join the massive crowds that have gone to wind power, solar and other types of power generation. Save the planet and save your money at the same time.
1. Simply put, the revolving blades of a wind turbine pick up energy from the wind. This is transferred through a mechanism to a generator that produces electricity that is either used right away, stored for later in batteries, or sold to the local power authority. The systems can be expensive but there are many ways of building and installing one cheaply. Many homes in North America already are powered by wind generators that produce 1kw and more.
2. It will take a few years to pay for itself but, once up, turbines can have a life of up to 25 years. Grid-connected system owners may be eligible to receive a small tax credit for the electricity they sell back to the utility. Power purchase agreements and system leases may help you take part in the solar future at a fraction of the up-front cost.
3. Most of the energy in wind is "wasted". Energy Balls are a class of wind turbine that use most of the power in the wind especially microwinds which are the major source of loss. Most Energy Balls are sold in sizes of 1 meter to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) in diameter.
4. Turbines for home owners or small industry come in sizes varying from 1kW to 50 kW outputs. Turbines, like airplanes, utilize the laws of aerodynamics to work. Turbines can be made passively able to better cope with high wind speeds and light electrical loads with, for example, "furling" to point them out of high winds, or using designs such as VAWTs that tend to speed up less due to turbulence.
Turbines might annoy you, though, due to "horizon pollution'. Some view them as ugly.
5. Power generated from solar panels and home built wind generators has to be stored in deep-cycle battery banks until you need it. Battery banks are typically sized for one to three days of windless operation. You WILL need batteries to store excess power for use when the wind is calm.
6. In times of long periods of calm wind, power can be purchased from the local power authority. On the other hand, if you are in a position of having excess power and you can't or don't want to sell power to the local power grid, you can pass the excess energy into the immersion heaters of your hot water tank.
7. Electricity can be confusing if you are not expert at it. Don't play "good enough' with it. Have your system installed or certified before start up. A certified system can be attached to the local power grid. It will sell power to it when you have more than you can use and can draw some out when the winds aren't cooperating. How sweet can it get?
Building a wind generator from scratch is actually not as difficult as one may think. Get to know the technology available, make sure all local ordnances are obeyed and take your time. You are building for life.
The green movement has stated that wind technology affects birds. I believe this to be true and, lately, there is evidence that bats are also affected. While sad, you will have to make your own judgment as to which is harder on our natural friends, a simple wind turbine on your house or smoke and radiation from commercial generators.
8. You will laugh all the way to the bank if you spend a few dollars before starting on information from experts. If you don't, you might cry all the way to the hospital or worse. Building and installing a system can be fun and exciting. Know your project and tap into the best sources of timely, information on wind generation you can find. - 16732
1. Simply put, the revolving blades of a wind turbine pick up energy from the wind. This is transferred through a mechanism to a generator that produces electricity that is either used right away, stored for later in batteries, or sold to the local power authority. The systems can be expensive but there are many ways of building and installing one cheaply. Many homes in North America already are powered by wind generators that produce 1kw and more.
2. It will take a few years to pay for itself but, once up, turbines can have a life of up to 25 years. Grid-connected system owners may be eligible to receive a small tax credit for the electricity they sell back to the utility. Power purchase agreements and system leases may help you take part in the solar future at a fraction of the up-front cost.
3. Most of the energy in wind is "wasted". Energy Balls are a class of wind turbine that use most of the power in the wind especially microwinds which are the major source of loss. Most Energy Balls are sold in sizes of 1 meter to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) in diameter.
4. Turbines for home owners or small industry come in sizes varying from 1kW to 50 kW outputs. Turbines, like airplanes, utilize the laws of aerodynamics to work. Turbines can be made passively able to better cope with high wind speeds and light electrical loads with, for example, "furling" to point them out of high winds, or using designs such as VAWTs that tend to speed up less due to turbulence.
Turbines might annoy you, though, due to "horizon pollution'. Some view them as ugly.
5. Power generated from solar panels and home built wind generators has to be stored in deep-cycle battery banks until you need it. Battery banks are typically sized for one to three days of windless operation. You WILL need batteries to store excess power for use when the wind is calm.
6. In times of long periods of calm wind, power can be purchased from the local power authority. On the other hand, if you are in a position of having excess power and you can't or don't want to sell power to the local power grid, you can pass the excess energy into the immersion heaters of your hot water tank.
7. Electricity can be confusing if you are not expert at it. Don't play "good enough' with it. Have your system installed or certified before start up. A certified system can be attached to the local power grid. It will sell power to it when you have more than you can use and can draw some out when the winds aren't cooperating. How sweet can it get?
Building a wind generator from scratch is actually not as difficult as one may think. Get to know the technology available, make sure all local ordnances are obeyed and take your time. You are building for life.
The green movement has stated that wind technology affects birds. I believe this to be true and, lately, there is evidence that bats are also affected. While sad, you will have to make your own judgment as to which is harder on our natural friends, a simple wind turbine on your house or smoke and radiation from commercial generators.
8. You will laugh all the way to the bank if you spend a few dollars before starting on information from experts. If you don't, you might cry all the way to the hospital or worse. Building and installing a system can be fun and exciting. Know your project and tap into the best sources of timely, information on wind generation you can find. - 16732
About the Author:
About The Author: Gene Vent is anEngineering Technologist. His lifelong mission has been to mix the best in technology with nurturing the environment. His happiest accomplishment has been to forge a working partnership with a genius of innovation named David Knight. Learn all there is to know about solar and Wind Power Generation at their Do It Yourself site Home Wind Power
