How to Clean Turbine Blades

Dirty turbine blades produce less power.

Periodically cleaning the blades of your wind turbine is essential to keep it functioning properly. The blades can pick up lots of grime and dust, and if they are not cleaned, the turbine will produce less power as the accumulated dirt weighs the blades down and they turn more slowly. The blades should be cleaned at least once a year, and with this regular maintenance, you can expect the blades to last 15 to 20 years.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Household cleaner
• Cloths
• Brush
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Disconnect the turbine from its power source before attempting any maintenance to avoid the risk of injury.

2. Use the wrench to remove the blades from the nautilus, which is where the generator is housed. Refer to the owner's manual for exact instructions for this procedure because different models use different methods. You may need to remove the nautilus hub before you can access the bolts that hold the blades in place.

3. Lay the blade on a flat surface and spray on the household cleaner. Cream cleaners are best because they are less abrasive than powders. Avoid anything that contains bleach. Rub the area with a cloth to clean. For stubborn stains, you may need to use the brush. Turn the blade over and repeat the process on the other side.

4. Use the garden hose to spray water over the nautilus area of the turbine. Allow everything to dry for 24 hours.

5. Reassemble the turbine by reversing the process used to take the blades off and reconnect the power.

Resources

• Green Earth 4 Energy: Benefits of Wind Generators