Thursday, March 10, 2011

Build Your Own Wind Turbine

More and more homeowners are using renewable energy to separate themselves from the power grid. Renewable energy is a powerful resource, and although solar energy seems to be at the forefront of this movement, wind power is just as effective and the set up costs are much cheaper. All you need in order to be able to install a wind turbine on your property is space to build it, and a steady source of wind.

Wind Turbine Needs

To build and install your own wind turbine, there are a few things that you will need.
  • Space. This is essential, as without sufficient space your wind turbine could either be too small, or could be obstructed by buildings or trees.
  • You must live in an area where wind turbines are acceptable. All sizes of turbine cause noise, and some people feel that they are an eyesore. You may struggle to get a building permit if you live in a suburb or a rural neighbourhood, and you don’t first talk to your neighbours.
  • A reliable source of wind is also vital. This can be easier than you would imagine, as a steady wind of 11 MPH can provide enough power to provide up to 90% of the energy needs of a small household. This is good news for those living in out of the way places with a steady wind.

Building Your Wind Turbine

One of the differences between a solar panel and a wind turbine is simplicity. A wind turbine is surprisingly simple, and building one doesn’t involve you spending hundreds of dollars on things like specialist wiring, turbines and parts. Even the process is simple-the wind turns the blades of the windmill, these blades turn the turbine, then the energy created from this is channeled into copper wire which can then be transferred directly to your home, or stored in a battery.
All you will need is a generator, windmill blades, the mountings and tower, and the parts to transfer energy to your home and store the energy. You have a wide choice when it comes to batteries for storage. Small commercial batteries are the best as they are cheap, and convenient in terms of size.
Blades for your windmill are also easy-you can either buy them ready made online, or you can make your own. They must be hard wearing, lightweight enough not to put strain on the tower or the motor, and concave in order to catch the wind. You can use plastic, PVC pipe, plastic bottles-the possibilities are endless.

Here are some guides that will help you thru it. Check Here!


Putting It All Together

A strong foundation for your wind turbine is essential. Once you have started to build wind turbine parts, start looking into making a sturdy tower to support the blades and generator. Build a solid foundation, using strong metal struts for maximum support. Make sure your structure is clear of trees and other obstructions.
Your wind turbine will be a great way to catch and store energy to be used in your home-but make sure you take the time to understand how a good windmill works and the parts which are most efficient.  The sky is the limit!

Wondering why doing this so? Well your doing Mother Nature a big favor. Browse here to learn more!

No comments:

Post a Comment