subject: Building Your Own Wind Turbine [print this page] Where does one start when deciding to build a small wind turbine? Right here in fact, with the decision itself. Opting out of the national grid, and banking on the success or failure of your DIY wind turbine is a brave step to take, but one which can pay dividends if followed through in the correct manner.
Various factors must be considered before any commitment is made, including the potential size and cost of a wind turbine project. Determining whether your location is suitable or not is perhaps one of the most significant elements to research. There are various services which can assist you in calculating the wind speed of your area in order to determine the suitability of the proposed site. Generally speaking, open hilltops or coastal situations are regarded as optimal sites for an efficient wind turbine.
In addition to this, always remember to take neighbouring individuals' opinion into consideration; many are not so enamoured by the site of a 10m tall wind turbine spoiling their views.
Size is also an important factor, and can impact not only visually, but also in terms of the amount of power produced. To power a standard sized home, blades would be required to be of approximately 5 metres from tip to tip. A rotor diameter of around 2 metres would provide perhaps 500kWh per year, whereas average household consumption stands at around 4,500kWh.
Many have even fashioned their own blades, many of which have been carved from wood. Alternatively, pre-made blades are available to purchase; the latter option may be the safer of the two, with the reassurance of expert manufactured windmill rotors.
In terms of cost, this depends largely on your own resourcefulness. By sourcing various materials and parts from second hand stores, local scrap yards, or old vehicle machinations, you will be able to work on a remarkably small budget. For example, domestic wind turbines require a battery; this can be easily extracted from an old car.
This provides only a brief guide to the variety of elements involved in the construction of a domestic wind turbine. However, there is a wealth of information on the subject both online and in printed publications. Many are on hand to offer assistance, and provide informed advice on the decision to invest in wind power, and the viability of the desire in terms of your current location.
