OT.........Windmills

[Anonymous-0]

I would like info. on windmills that produce electric. Both build yourself, and purchased. would like to build my own, i am a electrician are there any credible plans out there? any info greatly appreciated!!!

 

[dangerdoc]

The first thing you need to do is check a wind map to see if you have useful amounts of wind.

http://www.bitterrootsolar.com/help/maps.htm

Class 4 wind is marginal. Class 5 or better is good.

If you live in an area with useful wind, remember that ground effect will significantly limit power meaning you need to plan on at least 100 ft tower preferably taller.

If that does not scare you off, google wind power, there is alot of information available.

In general, for an individual, a windmill will not be competitive with utility power unless you have sustained winds over 10 mph and then it will still be years to payback the initial investment.

If you have utility power, check your state laws to see if the utility is required to purchase your excess power and at what rate. It varies greately.

If you don't plan on using utility power, also factor in batteries, inverters ect.

Good luck.

 

[Oldmax]

If you are just in the expermiting stage try this web site
Wind Mill Kit

 

[farmer boy]

I can tell you that their expensive. A 1000 watt wind generator 48 volts with 65' tip up tower 4000 watt inverter producing 120 volts, hydro transfer switch, cables, T240 step up inverter 60 amp panel, outdoor utility disconnect, grounding kit, sixteen 6 volt batteries, batterybox with vent, and anchoring kit cost 28,931 installed including all taxes and instalation or 23,273 plus installation and taxes. The same thing only 3000 watts and every thing increased in size accordinly cost 35,321 plus taxes and installation or 42,429 with installation and taxes. the first one is capable of 3.33 KW hours/day without batteries or 2.35 with batteries. The second is capable of 15.80 without batteries and 6.19 with batteries. This is all of a paper from Sun Volts Unlimited. Thought about it quite abit but as of yet unaffordable.

 

[Dan-IA]

Start easy. Cob an old alternator off a car that doesn't run anymore, rip off the belt pulley. Grab an old board and whittle out a 2-bladed propeller. wire it up to a battery and stick it on a pole. I like using U-clamps so I can turn it into the wind.

Or you can buy a prop off ebay for about $80 or so. Small investment to get a hobby started.

Have fun!

 

[buickanddeere]

Wind turbines are another economics of scale item. The total installed costs of a 5KW or 25KW system is very close.
Are you planning on grid tieing and net metering? Stand alone off the grid or sell power to the utility?
We get 11 cents per KW/hr over 20 years with cost of living paid on 2.2 cents of the 11 cents.
There is a peak power premium of an extra 4.32 cents or so from 11AM until 7PM.
Rather than "re-invent the wheel". You may want to takedown a complete 50KW to 250KW tower, controls, nacelle & blades. From a wind farm that is upsizing it's equipment.