subject: Difficulties Facing Smaller Wind Generator Makers [print this page] As mainstream energy prices continue to rise, the popularity of small wind turbines and other renewable sources of power is increasing.
Wind energy is quickly becoming one of the strongest of the U.S. renewable energy sectors. It is growing rapidly because it can be used in a wide variety of places to generate power.
Reported growth of wind turbines actually installed out in the field has grown by approximately 39% per year over the last 5 years and even with the recent weak economy, it has grew over 15% in 2010.
The reasons wind power has become so popular of late are:
Shrinking global fuel supplies
Government incentives to invest in renewable energy (like the Wind Tax Credit)
People want to become independent of utilities
Several European countries are becoming increasingly wind and solar powered
Although much of the improvements in wind turbine technology has been driven by manufacturers of large wind turbines, small wind turbine manufacturers have been the beneficiaries. Much of the growth in Europe has been from power generated on large wind farms and not from windmills mounted at homes.
The technological challenges the domestic small wind industry faces are:
1. How to take maximum advantage of low-wind conditions (less than 5 mph)
2. Competition from manufacturers in China
3. Zoning and local governmental issues
Technology that favors low-wind conditions is probably the most challenging. Blade technology has advanced in recent years quite a bit, but the problem is still making use of inconsistent and gusty wind conditions, as are usually found on a roof.
To make the most power, most turbine manufacturers require that their products be placed 30 feet above the tree line. This makes installation a lot more costly because of having to invest in a tower. You must build a foundation for the tower as well, and maintenance of something up located up that high becomes problematic as well.
China has gotten into the wind game too and the United States may be soon flooded with inexpensive versions of turbines. The problem may be one of useful life. These units are made of less resilient materials and may not withstand the turbulence that is found in many American wind conditions.
Also, zoning considerations can be a real issue for areas where there aren't existing wind turbines. Convincing local officials that installing your wind turbine is really a win for the community may be a problem.
As an aside, there is a lot of money being made in that sector now and here are some of the more profitable ways to profit from the trend:
Specializing in component and replacement parts -
(blades, generators, inverters, and gear boxes)
Supplying maintenance services to wind turbine owners
Investing in stock of publicly traded companies
With all that being said, the small wind turbine industry is growing stronger and more versatile every year. As long as fossil fuel generated energy prices continue to rise, small wind turbines' footprint broaden.
by: Roger Brown
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