How to Build You Own Miniature Wind Farm

Wind farms occupy a large area of land that house wind turbines to produce energy

Conserving energy is a priority for people wanting to make a positive contribution to the environment. It can also pay positive dividends in terms of personal resources. Wind Turbines are large structures that have blades protruding from the top of a tower. The wind forces the blades to turn, which create energy. The energy is stored in batteries, which are used to power electrical devices. A location that houses multiple wind turbines is called a wind farm. These small farms generate a significant amount of income from the energy that is produced there. Building a miniature wind farm is a demanding proposition in terms of time, money, and equipment--but the end result can produce a unique set of rewards.

Things You'll Need

• Wind turbine
• Shed or garage
• Controller unit
• Batteries
• Electrical grid

Instructions

1. Purchase a large enough piece of land to house the wind turbines. Determine the amount of space needed for a single turbine before determining the number of turbines that will safely fit on an existing piece of land. The amount of space needed for each turbine will vary depending on the size of the blades. Calculate the radius of the turbine blades by doubling the size of the blades and adding the size of the hub. For example, each blade on a turbine is 24-inches long and the hub is 8-inches wide. The radius of the turbine, therefore, is 56-inches wide. Add 24 inches to that number for additional spacing between each turbine. In which case, the turbine needs approximately seven square feet of space. Use this calculation to determine how many turbines will safely fit on a piece of land, or what size of land is needed to accommodate the desired number of turbines.

2. Install the turbines according to specific manufacturer instructions. Space each turbine safely away from the next.

3. Build or place a shed or garage on the farm that will house the controller units and batteries for the turbines.

4. Connect the power cord from the turbine to the controller unit.

5. Connect the batteries to the controller unit. When the turbines begin turning from the wind they will send power to the controller unit. The controller unit will distribute the power to the batteries that need the power. The controller unit will prevent the turbines from over-charging the batteries.

6. Connect the batteries to the electrical grid. This will generate power into the utility system and cause the meter to run backwards indicating to the power company that you are giving them additional power. They will send someone to your location to determine and inspect the system and ensure that everything is accurate. You will then receive a monthly check from the utility company for the excess power.

References

• MDPUB: How I Built An Electricity Producing Wind Turbine