#Cost of home wind turbine generator

Lead-acid batteries should also be protected from extremes in temperature. This makes them excellent options for renewable energy systems.įor safety, the batteries should be kept away from living areas and electronics because they contain corrosive and explosive substances. The system also requires a charge controller to prevent battery overcharging.ĭeep cycle batteries, like those used in golf carts, are designed to provide sustained power over an extended period and can discharge and recharge 80% of their capacity hundreds of times. You can later use the stored energy to power your home when the wind speed goes down.

This type of small wind turbine needs batteries to store the excess power generated during periods of high wind speeds.

BatteryĪ stand-alone home wind turbine is a system that’s not connected to the utility grid. Each version of these tower types has a tilt-down version. These are the self-supporting or free-standing type and the guyed, which is supported by wires. Two basic types of towers exist on the market. Thus, a small wind turbine is installed on a tower to take advantage of greater wind speeds.Īside from exposing the blades to higher wind speeds, the tower also places the turbine above the air turbulence that can occur closer to the ground caused by obstructions such as hills, trees, and buildings. That’s because the wind speed increases with height. When it comes to turbines that harness wind energy, the higher the tower, the more power the system can generate. The amount of wind power a horizontal-axis wind turbine produces depends on the diameter of its rotor, which determines its “swept area.” This is how large an area the blades sweep, which is proportional to the quantity of wind it captures. The Darrieus wind turbine has vertical blades and looks like an eggbeater, while a Savonius turbine is characterized by its S-shape design.

On the other hand, vertical-axis turbines consist of 2 kinds: Darrieus and Savonius. Meanwhile, the generator, rotor, and tail are attached to the turbine frame. Two or three blades that are often made of fiberglass form the horizontal-axis turbine. Small wind turbines come in two types vertical and horizontal axis, with the horizontal axis being the more commonly used type. Let’s see what comprises a home wind turbine and what those parts do. ComponentsĪn electrical system driven by wind power is made up of several components that work together to harness wind energy. Depending on the wind speed in your area, they can help lower electricity bills by around 50 to 90 percent. Although small wind turbines are tinier than commercial wind turbines, they can produce enough energy to power your lights and electrical appliances.

#Cost of home wind turbine generator

This generator produces energy as it runs.Ī home wind turbine connects to the electrical system through an inverter, which converts the DC power from the turbine into AC electricity most homes use. The wind spins the turbine to power a rotor, which then turns a small generator into the wind turbine. They harness wind energy and transform it into usable electricity. However, the two versions work the same way. It typically measures 1.5 to 3.5 meters (4 ft 11 in – 11 ft 6 in) in diameter. While those large turbines have blades of over 170 feet (52 meters, on average), a home wind turbine is more compact. Residential wind turbines are smaller versions of the gigantic turbines you see dotting the sides of highways in the countryside. Let’s determine whether home wind turbines can meet your home’s energy requirements and save you money on your electricity costs. Wind turbines are just some of the alternatives some homeowners have adopted to push their goal forward since wind power is considered one of the most cost-effective renewable energy suppliers. Thus, installing a small wind turbine provides you with an eco-friendly alternative for a backup or primary energy source.Īs power consumers strive to move away from fossil-fuel-sourced electricity towards more sustainable energy sources, they actively explore other power suppliers that don’t harm the planet. Also, they don’t emit earth-damaging greenhouse gasses in the process. Home wind turbines are great ways to generate green energy because they produce electricity from a renewable source, the wind. One great thing about the wind is that it can provide electricity for your home if you harness its power using a wind turbine. You may even marvel at its power when it’s blowing particularly hard. You can’t see the wind, but you can feel it.