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Design your own Renewable Energy Systems
Renewable Energy Solutions.... use wind and solar energy to reduce your power bills or completely eliminate them.
Living off the Grid..... newsletter that helps with off grid living, renewable energy, solar panels, and how to build your own homemade wind generator.
Wind Energy Guide....an informative guide to wind power and battery systems.
Teach yourself Solar Power.... build your own solar power system with this easy to follow guide.
Eco-Friendly Fuel Systems
Convert your car to run on water....drive your car using water as fuel while reducing emissions and preventing global warming.
Alternative Fuel Systems.... Learn how to run your car on water, hydrogen fuel systems, make biodiesel, and save money.
Make your own Biodiesel.....run your car on this environmental friendly fuel.
How to Save Money on your Energy Bills
Ultimate Gas Saver Guide....cut your gas spending in half.
Cut your Heating and Electric Bills in Half....homeowners, landlords, and renters looking to save.
Green Business Opportunities
Secrets of Battery Reconditioning....transform totally dead batteries to 100% charge capacity.
Socially Responsible Recycling Business....learn the secrets to recycling cell phones and protect the environment.
Clean Energy Grants from the US Government
Learn about Renewable Energy Grants from the US Government....tutorial for writing grants and getting funds for clean energy programs from the government.
Federal Grant Sources....search for renewable energy grants for your state.
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Small Wind
Small wind refers to wind powered electric systems for homes, farms, and small businesses to lower their electric bills, become independent electric grids, and avoid the unpredictability of traditional energy prices. A small wind turbine can be relatively large and is not suitable for urban or suburban homes without an adequate lot. Except for very small wind turbines on small towers, a property size of one acre or more is desirable. The economics of a wind system are very sensitive to the average wind speed in the area and the cost of purchasing electricity. If economics are a concern, a turbine owner should have at least a 10-mph average wind speed and be paying at least 10 cents/kWh for electricity. Residential wind turbines have been installed in all 50 states, but the majority have been installed in the Northeast and Midwest where good wind resources combine with good state incentive programs.
Small Wind Turbines
Small wind turbines may be as small as a fifty watt generator for a boat or camping trip. Small units often have direct drive generators, direct current output, aeroelastic blades, lifetime bearings and use a vane to point into the wind. Larger, more costly small wind turbines generally have geared power trains, alternating current output, flaps and are actively pointed into the wind. A small wind turbine can be installed on the roof of a house or on top of a tower. Small scale rooftop wind turbines have been known to be able to generate power from 10% to up to 25% of the electricity required of a regular domestic household dwelling.
Small wind turbines for residential use are readily available, they are usually seven to twenty-five feet in diameter and produce electricity at a rate of 900 watts to 10,000 watts at their tested wind speed. Some units have been designed to be very lightweight in their construction, around 35 pounds, allow sensitivity to minor wind movements and a rapid response to wind gusts typically found in urban settings. Some claim that they are inaudible even a few feet under the turbine. Dynamic braking regulates the speed by dumping excess energy, so that the turbine continues to produce electricity even in high winds.
Questions about Small Wind Systems
To help answer questions about small wind systems for your house, farm, or small business the U.S Department of Energy and individual states produce consumer guides that can help with the following questions:
Is wind power practical for my needs?
What size wind turbine should I buy?
What are the basic parts of a small wind electric system?
Where can I find installation and maintenance support?
How much energy will my system generate?
How do I choose the best site for my wind turbine?
Can I connect my system to the utility grid?
These questions and more are answered in the wind resource guides. Get your state's guide, news, and information online at the Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy Website.
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