Residential Wind Energy: Revealed
Mike Walden
September 18, 2009
In the debate over whether small-scale wind power setups, designed especially for domestic purposes, is viable or not, the scales tilted largely in favor of large-scale wind power generation plants. In other words, residential wind energy was dubbed as too scanty and weak, and hence, too impractical to be of any real use. In 2007, in a story entitled "It´s no breeze making switch to wind power" published in the British paper The Telegraph it was opined that, ´small wind wasn´t ready for prime time´. Factors that led to the conclusion included lack of sufficient force to turn the turbine, vibrations and noise created by the contraption, and the overall complexity of the setup, all of which failed to justify the marginal production of electric current through a residential wind energy machine, also called a turbine. Interestingly, this opinion came at a time when countries around the world were already showing a marked increase in their adoption and use of wind power.
The opinion meted out by The Telegraph was turned on its head later that year by an article published in The New York Times entitled, "Homespun Electricity, From the Wind", in which the writer profiled several success stories that clearly established the many benefits of using residential wind energy for the generation of electricity. It contained, among others, accounts of how Rena Wilson and her husband had taken advantage of the gusts of wind blowing through their estate near Urbana, Illinois by erecting a 56-feet high wind turbine and bringing down their electricity bills from $90 to $10. The article concluded with the prophetic verdict that ´residential wind energy is shortly heading towards the mainstream´.
Before deciding to make the switch to residential wind energy, here are a few points to ponder over and consider before taking the plunge. The first bit of information that you should gather is the amount of electricity that is typically needed for your home. A typical home, according to the AWEA, needs around 780 kWh each month while a residential wind energy turbine can lower a household electricity bill by around 50% to 90%. It is a good idea to keep your monthly utility costs handy for future computations and comparisons.
Next one needs to determine the average speed of the wind blowing in the region where the installation is planned. Different manufacturers specify different minimum wind speeds for their products. However, anything less than the minimum specifications will rule out the installation of the system in that location. If you are planning to have your setup installed within the United States, the best way to find out the average speed of the wind in your area is to consult the Wind Resource Maps from Windpower America. It takes just a few clicks of your mouse to find out all you need to know. For people living in other countries, the best bet is to check with the nearest airports where wind speed records are maintained for aeronautical purposes.
The next step involves matching a product with the electricity needs of the homestead. For those living in the US, AWEA compiled Small Wind Turbine Equipment Providers list provides all the necessary information in detail.
The fourth step involves reviewing the production estimates at different wind speeds from the manufacturers about their products and matching them with the desired output at the given location. In case it fails to meet the target, the residential wind energy turbine may not be the right choice. No wonder, this is a very important consideration to make.
Last but not the least, there´s the question of the total cost involved. It is very important to determine the cost of installing the product vis-ΰ-vis the time it is likely to take for recouping the initial investment. Carefully computing and comparing the cost of implementation of the project against the projected monthly savings in utility charges is the best way of finding out about the real cost-effectiveness of your system. Don´t forget to take into account any government incentive that might be available. A typical project analysis may follow the pattern as shown here:
(A) Cost of implementation of the Residential Wind Energy Turbine $10,000.00
(B) Monthly saving in Utility billing .. .. . . $ 75.00
(C) Yearly saving in Utility billing .. .. .. . $ 900.00
Number of years for recouping the initial cost 11 (Eleven years)
Keeping in view the many advantages of wind energy, this alternative source of power seems to be the way forward, notwithstanding the few disadvantages. It therefore makes every bit of sense to turn to the wind for your energy needs. However, wind power systems, in spite of their getting more user-friendly over the years, still require some degree of expertise. If you are new to wind power systems and are planning to set up one for yourself, take the help of a good step-by-step guide. You will find such a guide very helpful in answering all your questions, in finding the best deals on the equipment and in helping you take the right steps.
This article is based on the book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy " by Jim Martin. Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor and home energy consultant who written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More about Jim Martin΄s Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Earth 4 Electricity.
For further information visit: Residential Wind Energy
The opinion meted out by The Telegraph was turned on its head later that year by an article published in The New York Times entitled, "Homespun Electricity, From the Wind", in which the writer profiled several success stories that clearly established the many benefits of using residential wind energy for the generation of electricity. It contained, among others, accounts of how Rena Wilson and her husband had taken advantage of the gusts of wind blowing through their estate near Urbana, Illinois by erecting a 56-feet high wind turbine and bringing down their electricity bills from $90 to $10. The article concluded with the prophetic verdict that ´residential wind energy is shortly heading towards the mainstream´.
Before deciding to make the switch to residential wind energy, here are a few points to ponder over and consider before taking the plunge. The first bit of information that you should gather is the amount of electricity that is typically needed for your home. A typical home, according to the AWEA, needs around 780 kWh each month while a residential wind energy turbine can lower a household electricity bill by around 50% to 90%. It is a good idea to keep your monthly utility costs handy for future computations and comparisons.
Next one needs to determine the average speed of the wind blowing in the region where the installation is planned. Different manufacturers specify different minimum wind speeds for their products. However, anything less than the minimum specifications will rule out the installation of the system in that location. If you are planning to have your setup installed within the United States, the best way to find out the average speed of the wind in your area is to consult the Wind Resource Maps from Windpower America. It takes just a few clicks of your mouse to find out all you need to know. For people living in other countries, the best bet is to check with the nearest airports where wind speed records are maintained for aeronautical purposes.
The next step involves matching a product with the electricity needs of the homestead. For those living in the US, AWEA compiled Small Wind Turbine Equipment Providers list provides all the necessary information in detail.
The fourth step involves reviewing the production estimates at different wind speeds from the manufacturers about their products and matching them with the desired output at the given location. In case it fails to meet the target, the residential wind energy turbine may not be the right choice. No wonder, this is a very important consideration to make.
Last but not the least, there´s the question of the total cost involved. It is very important to determine the cost of installing the product vis-ΰ-vis the time it is likely to take for recouping the initial investment. Carefully computing and comparing the cost of implementation of the project against the projected monthly savings in utility charges is the best way of finding out about the real cost-effectiveness of your system. Don´t forget to take into account any government incentive that might be available. A typical project analysis may follow the pattern as shown here:
(A) Cost of implementation of the Residential Wind Energy Turbine $10,000.00
(B) Monthly saving in Utility billing .. .. . . $ 75.00
(C) Yearly saving in Utility billing .. .. .. . $ 900.00
Number of years for recouping the initial cost 11 (Eleven years)
Keeping in view the many advantages of wind energy, this alternative source of power seems to be the way forward, notwithstanding the few disadvantages. It therefore makes every bit of sense to turn to the wind for your energy needs. However, wind power systems, in spite of their getting more user-friendly over the years, still require some degree of expertise. If you are new to wind power systems and are planning to set up one for yourself, take the help of a good step-by-step guide. You will find such a guide very helpful in answering all your questions, in finding the best deals on the equipment and in helping you take the right steps.
This article is based on the book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy " by Jim Martin. Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor and home energy consultant who written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More about Jim Martin΄s Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Earth 4 Electricity.
For further information visit: Residential Wind Energy