Could I build own wind turbine where I live?
Did you always want to build your own wind turbine, but you didn’t know where to start?
……then this is the right sport! Many DIYers have built their own wind turbine already, so you can do it as well!! Continue reading and you´ll find out if it is feasible to build your own wind turbine in your area.
If you take a look at the Wind Resource map of the National Renewable Energy Lab, you will see that there are many states there is enough wind for you to build your own wind turbine.
Only in the south west and the south east you might have some trouble to get enough wind for a wind turbine. But these areas are superb to generate renewable energy with solar energy, just check out our map for solar radiation and our articles on DIY solar.
When you live in a state where there is enough wind there is really no reason why you shouldn’t build your own wind turbine.
An economical solution with a lifetime supply of free energy!
Normal wind turbines are very expensive. You will pay thousands of dollars for a professional contractor to install a windmill on your land. Even a small one!
With a DIY wind turbine you don’t have that problem anymore. You can make the wind turbine as cheap as you want. The DIY guides that explain in great detail how to build a DIY wind turbine, also suggest where to buy cheap parts. With these instructions and tips you will be able to make a DIY wind turbine for less than $100!! It´s quite incredible, for such a small investment you get free electricity whenever the wind blows.
But be careful. With stormy winds a wind turbine should be set to idle, otherwise it will be damaged. Therefore it is essential to install a battery to your windmill (as you do with DIY Solar Panels). That battery will store the electricity for you when the wind turbine isn’t working.
If your house has lots of trees surrounding it, it would build a slightly higher wind turbine. Otherwise you will miss a lot of electricity and this would really be a shame! Remember though that trees, especially those at the north side, serve a good purpose of keeping away strong winter winds (check our info on passive houses).
Which type of windmill do you want?
There are not many choices to make when you want to build your own wind turbine.
One of these choices is or you want a vertical or horizontal axis.
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The normal windmills, those who everyone knows, have a horizontal axis. These wind turbines are reliable and they work excellent.
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The vertical axis wind turbine is a turbine more suitable for places where the wind direction is changing a lot. However this technology should be developed more.
I would not advise to build your own vertical axis wind turbine due to the uncertainty of its efficiency and the lack of scientific research, but to build a horizontal axis wind turbine with a good wind vane.
