| Not everyone lives in a sunshine state so for a lot of | | | | of your house and produce 1 kW to 2 kW. They will |
| people it makes more sense to invest in wind power | | | | be approved more easily by your local government. |
| than solar power. We are all familiar with large | | | | These small systems are known as "micro-wind" or |
| windmills scattered across the country. Wind turbines | | | | "small-wind" turbines. They are sufficient to power |
| convert the power of the wind into electricity. | | | | electrical appliances and lights in a typical home. |
| They are sometimes controversial because of the | | | | Mounting a wind turbine is also cheaper than the |
| visual pollution to our landscapes and the danger to | | | | installation of solar panels. But because wind, just as |
| wildlife, like migrating birds and bats. Others admire the | | | | sunshine, is not guaranteed every day of the year it is |
| beauty of the modern designs. Whatever the pros and | | | | best to have a good mix of energy sources. Unused |
| cons, it is in everybody's interest to produce clean | | | | electricity can also be stored in batteries for later use |
| power and contribute to the reduction of global | | | | when there is no wind (or sunshine). |
| warming. | | | | For a lot of families it is now possible to produce 50 to |
| Some countries have started to build huge wind farm | | | | 100% of their energy needs, especially if solar and |
| at sea. The Dutch government for example is investing | | | | wind power are combined. If you produce more |
| billions of euros in these coastal wind farms to avoid | | | | electricity than you need for your household |
| using more polluting power plants. But how could you | | | | consumption, you can sell the surplus to the utility |
| do this on a small scale? Solar panels on the roof are | | | | company. |
| quite a common site but how about a windmill? | | | | Wind energy has many benefits. |
| Lately some innovative designs allow you to generate | | | | - Most locations have plenty of wind available. |
| your own wind energy even if you don't have a large | | | | - Using renewable energy will cut your carbon footprint. |
| plot of land. The larger mast mounted systems are | | | | - Once you have paid for the initial installation, your |
| free standing in the garden and are quite high. They | | | | electricity is free. |
| can generate between 2.5 kW and 6 kW. | | | | - You can store excess energy or sell it to an |
| Small wind turbines that can be mounted on the roof | | | | electricity supply company. |