[BLOG] Looking for a Home Wind Turbine? Check Out this Guide

SVOboy · 09-15-08, 12:08 AM

Looking for a Home Wind Turbine? Check Out this Guide | EcoRenovator.org

Quote:

EcoGeek is one of my favorite blogs. That’s why today I was so excited to see their guide on home wind energy. Solar power gets a lot of attention because it’s easier to find a home with good exposure than it is to find a home with the space and consistent breeze to support wind energy.

However, it’s definitely gaining in popularity, and if you’re interested, I highly recommend checking out EcoGeek’s post.

WisJim · 08-25-09, 09:11 AM

Sadly, as far as I have been able to determine, NONE of those "architectural" wind generators actually work. They are mounted on buildings or roofs, and due to turbulence or designs that ignore the physics of wind, they just don't work. None of the testing of these styles of machines, including VAWTs, has shown that they really function.

For a working machine, you need a tall tower, and a horizontal axis machine installed at least 30 feet above anything within 500feet. Otherwise it doesn't get enough energy from the wind to be anything but a decoration.

Daox · 08-25-09, 09:17 AM

Thanks for the tips Jim. Could you give any feedback on turbine diameter? Obviously the larger the better, but is there a minimum you'd suggest not to go smaller than?

WisJim · 08-25-09, 09:31 AM

I think that the 10 foot diameter machines on the Otherpower site are a good compromise between small size and a good output, big enough to justify the cost and work of a tall enough tower, but small enough to build and manage to install. Smaller machines end up with the tower becoming a much larger proportion of the total cost of the project. I think that 60 feet is the minimum tower height to get above ground friction and turbulence, and higher is required if there are trees, buildings, etc., in the area. If you are putting up a machine to produce usable power for many years, there is no sense in putting up junk. If you are just experimenting with a short-term machine, it is a different story.

Jim

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08-25-09, 09:11 AM	#2
WisJim Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 42 Thanks: 7 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Sadly, as far as I have been able to determine, NONE of those "architectural" wind generators actually work. They are mounted on buildings or roofs, and due to turbulence or designs that ignore the physics of wind, they just don't work. None of the testing of these styles of machines, including VAWTs, has shown that they really function. For a working machine, you need a tall tower, and a horizontal axis machine installed at least 30 feet above anything within 500feet. Otherwise it doesn't get enough energy from the wind to be anything but a decoration.

08-25-09, 09:17 AM	#3
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Thanks for the tips Jim. Could you give any feedback on turbine diameter? Obviously the larger the better, but is there a minimum you'd suggest not to go smaller than?

08-25-09, 09:31 AM	#4
WisJim Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 42 Thanks: 7 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	I think that the 10 foot diameter machines on the Otherpower site are a good compromise between small size and a good output, big enough to justify the cost and work of a tall enough tower, but small enough to build and manage to install. Smaller machines end up with the tower becoming a much larger proportion of the total cost of the project. I think that 60 feet is the minimum tower height to get above ground friction and turbulence, and higher is required if there are trees, buildings, etc., in the area. If you are putting up a machine to produce usable power for many years, there is no sense in putting up junk. If you are just experimenting with a short-term machine, it is a different story. Jim