subject: Wind Power Turbines [print this page] If you are going to get into the renewable energy business at your home, there is no easier way than through wind power turbines. There are a number of reasons why it is best to start off with wind power and then migrate to other forms of renewable power as you acclimate to a more off-grid lifestyle.
The sooner we all realize that this is inevitable, the better. Although we would like to imagine that there exists in the world out there somewhere a better energy mousetrap they can keep us from having to go to all this trouble, the fact is that we don't know of one at the moment. So, we are relegated to the renewable energy world until something better comes along.
The reasons for starting with wind power turbines are
Easier to understand than solar and geothermal - When you get right down to it wind energy is just simpler to grasp than the alternatives, which are solar power and geothermal energy. I think it is because of the fact that you can see the wind turbine turning that makes it so intuitively elegant to most everyone. When you are talking about other alternatives like solar and geothermal, you can't really see anything happening and therefore you have to have faith that it is happening because you are seeing power come out the other end. Solar and geothermal are just not as easy to grasp as wind.
Wind power turbines are cheaper - Because they are more abundant, home wind turbines are cheaper for the amount of energy that you will eventually get than these other alternatives. You can buy a very straightforward wind turbine kit for your house for under $500. This will allow you to see the science in motion and get a feel for how you can expand it to produce more power for your home.
Very visible so you get feedback that it is working for you - Having a residential wind turbine on your property gives you a very visual way to understand how the energy flow around your house can help you. It is so e.g. To conceptualize using when to drive a turbine because we're all used to toys that take advantage of the same concept, like the pinwheel we all played with as children.
By and large wind power turbines provide the best answer for the homeowner wanting to cut power costs at home. Getting one is an excellent home project for a do-it-yourself type and the cost is much lower than other options you have.