subject: Best Windmill For Your Roof [print this page] The place more and more people are locating their wind devices is on their roofs. The reason for that is many folks who are interested in wind power live in cities and roofs are the only choice they have.
All in all, the best wind turbine though, is the one that fits your particular application. To get that right, you have to really understand your application thoroughly - that is, the wind profile at your house and what you want to do with the energy you make.
As far as the roof goes, here are the things you need to do to purchase the right wind turbine for that location:
* First, decide what you want to do with the energy you make. There are a variety of options here. You can charge batteries or, you can power your house. Most people start simple and only charge batteries though, because that is what most small wind turbines are designed to do right out of the box. However, you can go for all the glory and tie your wind generator in with the electricity grid. That will monetize your investment the quickest, but it is by far the most expensive way to go and the most trouble for you. That is because you have to have someone familiar with the utility involved to make the actual tie in.
* Then, take some time and get to know the wind patterns on your roof. This can take some time but it is essential if you want to make the most wind energy you can. An anemometer purchase by you will go a long way towards getting this right. An anemometer only cost about $50 from Amazon.com, but it will allow you to take wind data all over your property. Once you take down that wind data, you can upload it to your computer and slice and dice the information it has collected. If you find you have an average wind of at least 9 mph, the project is a no-brainer.
* Finally, pick a wind turbine style that fits. You must match the wind turbine to the task. For example, you don't want to purchase a wind turbine that is designed to work on a roof and use it for mounting on a tower placed out in the field. The reason for that is wind generators that are designed for roof use do not have tail assemblies that will hunt and seek the prevailing wind. If you get a horizontal wind turbine, it will be very efficient. However, those wind turbines require a steady stream of wind to get the most efficient power conversion out of them.
In the final analysis, the best wind turbine for your roof means tailoring it to meet the situation you have there.
