Small wind Power SystemsPrior to install a small wind power system in your property, consider insulating your home to high levels and install high-performance windows and appliances and lighting, and make other energy improvements in your property. The idea is to to reduce as much as possible your electricity consumption.
Otherwise you will need a too large and too expensive system. Conservation measures are always the first step.
Wind Power Systems Need Consistent and High Speed WindsFor the sucess of a small wind power system, you will need average wind speeds of at least 12-13 miles per hour (6 meters/second),
To avoid turbulence and for higher wind speeds, the bottom of the turbine blades should be at least 30 feet/9 meters above the top of any possible obstacle within 300 feet/90 meters of the tower. The tower and the height at which the turbine is suspended are very important.
See: Wind Towers Height and Types
How Good Are Hybrid Wind-Solar Power Systems?Hybrid small wind-solar power systems only become cost-competitive in areas where wind and solar patterns supplement each other.
See: Hybrid Solar-Wind Electric Systems
Location and Tower Height: The Difference Between Success and Failure Wind speed may vary significantly within a property, and since small differences in the wind speed have a huge impact in the performance of a wind power system, the location of the turbine in the property is of the utmost importance.
Increasing the wind speed from, say, 12 miles per hour (6 meters per second) to 16-17 mph will double the turbine’s electrical output.
See: Wind Power Systems Location
The Rated Capacity of a Wind Power System May Not Mean Much The rated capacity value for a wind power system means little. It’s mostly a theoretical value for optimum wind conditions. The wind rarely blows at the specific wind speed considered by manufacturers.
The real output is a lower: typically 10%-40% of the rated capacity. The rotor diameter of the turbine is a better indicator of the turbine capacity.
See: Wind Power Systems Output
What’s The Best: Wind or Solar Powered Systems?Solar photovoltaic systems have a few advantages over small wind turbine systems: they are safer, quieter and may have a larger lifespan and warranty period; and can be used in urban and sub-urban settings, contrary to wind power systems.
But in a few rural locations with very good wind resources, wind electric systems can be a better choice.
See: Solar vs. Wind Power Systems
Micro Wind Systems and Urban Wind Power Systems Many low-priced wind power systems have a very small capacity and are mostly used for battery charging.
Wind Power Systems PricesPrices of small wind electric systems are now lower than some years ago. They vary with the capacity of the system, and factors like state incentives.
See: Prices and Payback of Wind Power Systems
Prefer a Rotor with a Large Diameter The design of the blades or the electronics and the new materials of wind powered systems have a significant impact on their efficiency.
Anyway, when choosing, pay special attention to the diameter of the rotor. The power generated by a horizontal axis turbine tends to be directly proportional to the swept area of the rotor.
See: Wind Turbines and Rotor Technology.
You Can Buy Wind Electricity, and Help Green Power ProducersIn countries like the US, Canada, UK or Australia you can buy wind electricity (and other green electricity) from utilities, including "certificates".
That's inexpensive, and a way of helping green power producers.
See, for details: Buying renewable power
Wind Power Systems & EnvironmentSee: Wind Power Systems & Environment
See also:
Grid-Tied Net-Metering
Wind Power Systems Manufacturers
Wind Energy Fact Sheet AWEA
Wind Power America
Wind Energy Basics EERE
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©2013 House-Energy, Help Homeowners reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Ed. Reisinh
