| The current push into the field of alternative energy | | | | For this reason a system needs to be carefully |
| has recently placed wind power at the forefront of the | | | | matched to the conditions found at the installation site. |
| energy debate. Using a wind capture devise is one of | | | | If you have harsh weather with strong winds then |
| the oldest methods of producing electricity from a | | | | choosing a well-built turbine is a very good idea. It also |
| renewable source. In spite of this, the small wind | | | | needs to be sized according to the projected energy |
| turbine, sometimes referred to as a wind mill, is a | | | | needs that you are trying to offset. It takes someone |
| machine that in general remains in need of | | | | knowledgeable and with practical experience to built |
| considerable refinement. If you are researching wind | | | | such a system. |
| power in hopes of purchasing a system, there are | | | | What you may typically find in your area are |
| some areas of concern which will be helpful to | | | | companies or installers willing to sell you what they are |
| understand as you approach this task. | | | | familiar with but it may not be the best equipment for |
| Where have we come from? The first awakening | | | | your application. While you may get good service |
| came during the oil crisis encountered in 1973. This | | | | during and after the installation, you may also get an |
| highlighted our dependence on the importation of oil to | | | | inadequate system if the company is too narrow in its |
| meet our energy needs. It also lead to an interest in | | | | range of product offering. We have found this to be |
| renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. | | | | the case in our local area. While discussing a new |
| Wind had already played a part in American history in | | | | system installation being performed nearby, we |
| the early and mid 1900's but as the commercial power | | | | questioned the installer/salesman about the owners |
| grid crept into rural areas, wind turbine development | | | | choice of inverters. He indicated that it was his own |
| slowed to a crawl. As a result of this stagnation, when | | | | recommendation because he was familiar enough with |
| the oil embargo grabbed our attention, wind turbines | | | | it to troubleshoot problems over the phone. We didn't |
| were woefully inadequate to be of any significance. | | | | feel it was the best equipment available but it was |
| What has occurred since is the refinement of large | | | | what the "professional" recommended. That said, it is |
| turbines used in wind farms but the small, residential | | | | always best to search initially for a business close to |
| sized turbine has only been marginally improved. | | | | home. There is nothing like a real person behind the |
| Looking back, we could blame this on a market unable | | | | counter when you are getting ready to fork over a big |
| to justify large expenditures in the research and | | | | chunk of cash for a purchase. |
| development area. In the past decades, people were | | | | So what do you do if you are considering having your |
| moving from rural areas and going into the suburban | | | | own wind system? First, understanding the "language" |
| environment where small lot sizes were not compatible | | | | of wind power is important to understanding how it |
| with a wind energy system. There simply was not a | | | | works. This will range from having a basic knowledge |
| huge demand for a turbine that was sized to meet the | | | | of energy in the wind to knowing what the specs on a |
| electrical needs of a typical household. With the | | | | turbine will mean in real life. A lot of numbers can be |
| affordable costs of grid power it made little economic | | | | tossed around by someone trying to sell you a system |
| sense for large investments in the residential machines | | | | but at the end of the day you want these "numbers" |
| for either the companies involved or the consumer. | | | | to mean something in the way of usable power. |
| We presently have two factors at work that are | | | | Second, you as the buyer need to be aware of the full |
| placing a demand on wind industry. First, there has | | | | range of wind turbines and towers available, within |
| been a recent migration of families back into rural | | | | reason, for your area. Taking an active role in selecting |
| settings. There are various reasons for this change but | | | | all the components for a wind system may not be |
| an attempt at self-sufficiency is one of these. People | | | | absolutely necessary but it helps to know your options. |
| are seeking ways to reduce their dependence on | | | | Third, cut through the marketing hype that is on the rise |
| commercialized products with their energy needs being | | | | as wind power becomes more popular. Wind turbine |
| high on that list. Second, many are becoming aware of | | | | ads that were mostly relegated to the small classified |
| the true cost of cheap electricity and are looking for | | | | ad section in do-it-yourself magazines are now starting |
| ways to offset either all or a portion of the energy | | | | to have their own full page, color ads. |
| they use from a renewable source. Direct investment | | | | The bottom line for a wind system is to generate |
| in the form of solar panels on the roof or a wind | | | | enough power to substantially reduce your monthly |
| turbine in the back yard has recently become a | | | | electrical bill or reduce the amount of generator |
| fashionable thing to do. | | | | run-time in the case of the off grid household. To |
| Unfortunately in the small wind energy field, substantial | | | | basically retire your electric bill is something to shoot |
| and reliable turbines are in short supply. There are | | | | for but there are many considerations such; as what |
| plenty of machines to be found but ones that will | | | | will your utility company allow and how much will |
| produce meaningful power over a reasonable time | | | | seasonal fluctuations in wind patterns affect your |
| period are not so easy to discern. As with any product | | | | location? There is also much talk about the legislation |
| available to consumers, there is a balancing act | | | | passed in October 2008 that allows a tax credit on |
| between price, quality and the individuals needs. Wind | | | | small wind installations. Don't get too excited it just yet. |
| turbines are no different. To make matters more | | | | It only allows for 30% of installed cost or $500 per 1/2 |
| complicated there is not an abundance of | | | | kilowatt, whichever is less up to a maximum of $4000. |
| brick-and-mortar stores that stock all the components | | | | To get the maximum credit, you are looking at a |
| needed for a complete wind system installation. Many | | | | turbine that typically cost over $16000 not including a |
| parts must be ordered so getting a look before hand | | | | tower and various other costs. This definitely will not |
| at what you will be buying can be largely a mail order | | | | give you a free wind system but it will most likely |
| operation. Compounding this issue is the sales and | | | | encourage some growth in small wind industry. (A note |
| installation experience you will encounter in the | | | | of disclaimer, I do not feel the federal government |
| alternative energy field concerning wind power. Wind | | | | should be in the business of taxing citizens with the |
| turbines are not like solar panels where an installation is | | | | intent of redistributing it to promote any industry). Even |
| relatively straight forward but rather has complexities | | | | with the need to look at wind power from several |
| that need to be addressed. A wind installation is much | | | | angles, it is certainly an abundant renewable resource |
| more than a turbine attached to a tower which is | | | | to harness if you approach it with the right attitude and |
| creating electricity out of thin air. | | | | proper knowledge. |