How to Purchase a Home Wind Turbine
Home wind turbines have become an attractive option for providing alternative energy. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), a residential wind turbine ideally is place atop a tall tower. The turbine harnesses the wind's kinetic (moving) energy, and converts that energy into electricity for the home or farm. Depending on the home's electrical needs, the excess electricity can sometimes be sold to the local electrical utility. Because the turbine structure can be relatively large, it's not advisable to locate a home wind turbine on a property of less than one acre. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wind resource map
- Equipment to install anemometer at tower height
- Anemometer
- Wind speed data from airport and state sites
- Copies of your electric bills
- Permits
- Electrical certification from state inspector
- List of wind turbine manufacturers
- Financing information
Instructions
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Measure your wind. Windustry, a registered non-profit group that assists rural communities with wind energy development, recommends that you do some homework before the purchase and installation of a home wind turbine.
Examine a wind resource map that shows which states have validated wind resource studies: http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp.
Measure the wind speed at your site. Establish the location and height of your potential turbine tower, and place anemometers (wind gauges) at the same height as the proposed turbine. Measure the wind speed during different seasons and times of day, and from varied directions. If it isn't possible to get detailed wind data for the exact location, obtain readings from existing sites such as nearby airports or state-operated gauges.
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Decide if a wind turbine is cost effective. According to the AWEA website (updated in 2009), small (home) wind turbines can cost between $6,000 and $22,000 installed. This is a substantial investment; however, AWEA estimates that the turbine can lower an average electric bill by 50 to 90 percent. Your level of savings will depend on your electrical use and the average wind speed at your site. Look at the savings versus the long-term cost of the turbine.
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Handle zoning and permits. According to Windustry, you must obtain permits from your town or county zoning office. If other home wind turbine projects are in existence nearby, the process may go relatively smoothly. You will need to address issues such as setbacks, safety standards (for the turbine, tower, and wiring), noise, and aesthetics issues.
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Work closely with your utility. Windustry also emphasizes the importance of working with your local utility on the wind turbine project. If home wind turbines are relatively common in your area, the utility may have a dedicated contact person to help you with the technical aspects of the purchase and installation. Before allowing you to connect to the utility's power grid, a state electrical inspector must certify all electrical work (which must be done by a licensed and bonded electrician).
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Purchase your wind turbine. There are at least 17 wind turbine manufacturers in the United States and Canada. Some of these suppliers focus exclusively on the home and farm turbine market, and others also build systems for larger commercial users. Once you have narrowed your search, ensure that their support staff can address your technical concerns before (and after) the purchase.
Finally, ask if financing is available for your wind turbine purchase. -
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Install your wind turbine. According to the AWEA, there are two installation options for your wind turbine: Purchase a turnkey system with cost of installation included; or purchase the equipment and complete the installation yourself. Although the self installation will save you money and help you learn more about the system, the factory installation will provide more customer support after the purchase.
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References
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Comments
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Put a wind turbine in your backyard. Of course, you will have to check with your city or town to get a permit. Next, you are looking at installation costs. Oh yeah, a turbine costs $6000 to $20,000. I wonder if one's property tax will increase.
