These 8 facts will explain the basics of how you can stop giving your money to the big power conglomerates. With a small effort, you can become a big source of improvement for the environment and your wallet.
1. Residential wind power works by placing a wind generator on top of a high tower so that the wind turbine can collect the kinetic energy of the wind and convert this kinetic energy into clean and green electricity. Residential wind turbines of more than 1 kW are now functioning in several countries, in every state in the union and in every province of Canada. Windmills are a great way to cut down on power bills.
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. There will be times when your system is producing more than you can use. If you can't or don't want to have to deal with the local authority to sell your power, you can use it by heating up the water in your hot water tank, for example. When the winds are not blowing and your batteries are saying "Help!", you can tap into your local power grid and buy just the power you need for a short time.
7. Some home wind power systems are tied into the local power grid. In times of excess, power is automatically sold and meterred to the local utility. In times of need, your system sucks power off the grid automatically and you are billed for what you use. All this can be easily done automatically but make sure the whole installation is approved by an electrician or other knowledgeable expert. Let electricity be your friend, not your enemy.
Building your own home wind power system isn't rocket science. Your greatest assets will be knowledge and inspections to know it is safe and efficient. Read, invest in knowledge and don't rush. You are building something that will benefit you for decades.
There is evidence out there that birds, bats and other creatures are affected by home wind power generators. I personally believe this to be true so make sure that your install is as far away from their natural habitats as possible. I like the little beasties too.
8. This is not brain surgery but, you can get hurt or operate a system that is inefficient. Spend a little money now to learn from the best. This will allow you to knowledgeably build a system that will efficiently and safely deliver savings to you for years. - 16492
1. Residential wind power works by placing a wind generator on top of a high tower so that the wind turbine can collect the kinetic energy of the wind and convert this kinetic energy into clean and green electricity. Residential wind turbines of more than 1 kW are now functioning in several countries, in every state in the union and in every province of Canada. Windmills are a great way to cut down on power bills.
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. There will be times when your system is producing more than you can use. If you can't or don't want to have to deal with the local authority to sell your power, you can use it by heating up the water in your hot water tank, for example. When the winds are not blowing and your batteries are saying "Help!", you can tap into your local power grid and buy just the power you need for a short time.
7. Some home wind power systems are tied into the local power grid. In times of excess, power is automatically sold and meterred to the local utility. In times of need, your system sucks power off the grid automatically and you are billed for what you use. All this can be easily done automatically but make sure the whole installation is approved by an electrician or other knowledgeable expert. Let electricity be your friend, not your enemy.
Building your own home wind power system isn't rocket science. Your greatest assets will be knowledge and inspections to know it is safe and efficient. Read, invest in knowledge and don't rush. You are building something that will benefit you for decades.
There is evidence out there that birds, bats and other creatures are affected by home wind power generators. I personally believe this to be true so make sure that your install is as far away from their natural habitats as possible. I like the little beasties too.
8. This is not brain surgery but, you can get hurt or operate a system that is inefficient. Spend a little money now to learn from the best. This will allow you to knowledgeably build a system that will efficiently and safely deliver savings to you for years. - 16492
About the Author:
About The Author: Gene Vent is a Certified Engineering Technologist. His lifelong mission has been to blend the latest in technology with looking after the environment. His happiest accomplishment has been to build 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
