DIY Wind Turbine

When it comes to making a choice to reduce the demand for energy sources that pollute the environment, the wind that blows for free offers one solution.

Most people are familiar with the picture postcards of windmills that used to dot the landscape in Holland, but modern DIY wind turbine construction is a vastly different proposition.

Bulky structures are a thing of the past and the windmill is replaced with state of the art technology that generates electricity efficiently for the home and small cities. Don’t misinterpret these developments as putting the construction required beyond the skill level of the average home owner.

They are neither difficult to operate nor expensive. Anyone considering a DIY wind turbine will need only the usual tools in the workshop and a few hundred dollars for the complete unit. Even less if materials are available from a recycling center.

  

What most people don’t realize is that there are few moving parts in the modern turbine and lighter weight construction means no need for a high tower to support the generator and its blades. Build a secure frame on the roof, and a site for a DIY wind turbine is available.

The next requirement is to mount the blade and gearing on the frame. Kit sets for these are readily sourced online. Choose the ones that are well referenced, and try to see one operating nearby before commencing building.

This last piece of advice is most important but often neglected. Seeing a unit operating will answer questions that most people don’t even think to ask.

DIY wind turbines come in all makes and sizes, so getting one for a specific site, and the amount of energy required will be time well spent. Investigation into local building codes, noise limitations, and things such as height and where the prevailing wind will come from are almost more important than knowing how to put the unit together.

The installation may take only a few days, unless you are thinking of building everything from scratch. Blades are the driving force and those from wood or fiber composites are cheaper and less prone to vibration and noise than metal ones. A tail assembly to keep the unit facing the breeze can be made with simple woodworking or engineering skills to make a DIY wind turbine fully efficient.

Gearing and the DC motors can be purchased online and bolted together. A wiring plan may confuse those unfamiliar with electricity, but it is worth involving an electrician at the final stages to give an ok to the home handyman’s work.

Most of this seems to be simple and it is. A DIY wind turbine is not a toy though, and access to it should be restricted. The blades can be fatal for children and adults alike, and any electrical installation should be well insulated. If the unit is mounted on a tower this should not be able to be climbed by the adventurous. Use fencing to deter potential climbers and security lighting to scare away those thinking the structure is an advanced playground.

Build Your Own Solar Panels

The sun is shining, and the only cloud in the sky is the latest utility bill that seems to rise every month…

The answer may be that you need to seriously examine how to build your own solar panels, and here are a few tips that just might help…

Check out the online specials for materials and save on the construction cost. In addition, there are many suppliers who will offer everything that is required to complete the job, as well as plans and advice on assembly.

The tools needed to build your own solar panels will probably already be found in the workshop and include hammer, saw, soldering iron, screw drivers and a knife.

The materials list is a little longer but most people already have some timber to make the frame for mounting the panels on the roof and the screws and wood panels to make the housing for the cells.

Purchase pre tabbed photo-voltaic cells and the tab wiring to connect them. Some eva glue, solder and flux, plastic sheeting to cover the lid of the housing as well as blocking diodes to stop current reversal, and the project can be started.

The next step is to make a cup of coffee and make some decisions on where the panels are going to be sited. A south facing slope of 30˚ that is not shaded or in the path of natural pests is required, and if possible one that will allow wiring to be easily conducted into the area you choose to house the storage batteries.

When starting out to build your own solar panels, allow a weekend and clear a space on the workshop floor that is clean and dust free. The process is essentially an assembly project once the cells are fixed to a backing board in rows, usually of 6x6.

Join the cell tabs with the wire and add the blocking diodes and cable to connect up to the storage battery and cover with the plastic lid. Seal the whole unit with the silicone grouting.

Mounting the panels on the roof should occur after some insulation has been applied to the rear of the housing, and to really make the unit efficient paint all the housing black - not the lid though!

This may be a two person job, not just because it is heavy, but because it is awkward and made more difficult when working at heights.

If the whole thing seems a little too much for the DIY skills at hand, then you can purchase a kit set or even a complete unit. Before you buy, check out someone who has already gone down the same track, or at least try to see a solar powered unit in action.

The project should be fun, as learning how to build your own solar panels is survival technology that can give the homeowner some true independence in times when supply of power can be unreliable.

Build Wind Turbine

Small wind turbines are not just projects for enthusiasts, but are a real possibility for the home owner to generate their own energy demands and a little extra to sell back to the utility company.

Learning how to build a wind turbine is relatively simple. The options range from purchasing a kitset that just needs assembling, to starting from scratch and constructing the tower, generator and even carving the windmill blade from suitable wood.

Before you begin to choose what type of construction you would like, a little investigation into the wind potential for the site is a good idea. Wind atlas details are available online, and you can also monitor the prevailing winds using a small wind meter over a period of months. This will give you all the information needed to decide where a windmill could be located.

Before selecting the power generation capacity and making the decision to build wind turbine, an eco-audit of the entire home’s energy usage may show that savings can be made that reduce demand substantially.

The basic parts needed to build a wind turbine include structure to support the blades generator, or a strong enough roof, the windmill blade and connection to a generator, the tail assembly to keep the unit facing into the prevailing wind, and various electrical pieces of equipment.

This becomes an assembly project that the whole family can get involved in, as many hands are a good help when it comes to the erection of the final system.

It may only take a matter of days to build a wind turbine. Once all the parts are together, limited knowledge of electrical circuitry will suffice to get it properly connected. However, if the unit is to be designed to return any surplus to the grid, more sophisticated charge controllers and qualified electrical assistance must be used.

On the down side, the energy produced will need to be stored in a battery for slow release when the wind slows. These batteries can pose environmental issues when it comes to their disposal, but one of the side effects of growing demand for wind power is that battery technology is also improving.

Learning how to build a wind turbine is not just about putting up a striking piece of outdoor sculpture and watching the utility bill drop. The issues mentioned in this article are designed not just to demonstrate that a wind turbine is desirable and good for the environment, but that wind powered electrical generation is an efficient solution.

Modern wind generators are exceptionally efficient, and one of the most exciting power sources for the future. Anyone wanting to build wind turbine will soon discover that they have tapped a free source of power that will give them an enduring supply, and with little or no maintenance needed for some time.

Learning how to build a wind turbine is for most people a steep learning curve about how cutting edge technology is making huge advances to save the burning of fossil fuels to supply power to the home.

Alternative Renewable Energy Resources

Everyday the sun shines and provides enough energy for the entire globe for 27 years. Solar energy is just one of the renewable energy sources up for grabs. Wind energy and geo thermal energy are other alternative renewable energy sources available as well.

This article will detail the alternative renewable energy resources on offer to give you insight into what choices you have. The reason why it is important to look at your options and consider renewable energy is that supplies of fossil fuels will eventually run out.

As stated above, solar power is an excellent source of renewable energy and utilizes sunshine to create energy (heat and electricity). Solar power uses direct conversion of radiation in the form of a solar PV system; other forms of solar power include solar hot water systems and solar water purification systems.

At the moment, approximately 200,000 homes use solar power to generate electricity, and as the technology becomes more affordable it becomes a real option for people wishing to save money, reduce carbon emissions and use a clean green source of power.   

Wind energy is another one of the alternative renewable energy resources which is currently being utilized by people who want to cut down on their energy cost and reliance on fossil fuels.  Wind power has been around for a long time and wind power first generated electricity in 1890, fast forward to the present and there is a growing market for wind energy.

Despite what people may think, wind does not have to constantly blow heavily to power homes with wind energy. Like solar energy, the great thing about wind power is that wind is clean, green and you can produce it in your own back yard. Out of all the renewable energy resources available, wind power has the greatest scope to grow.

People that live in remote locations and have a decent amount of land find wind power a viable option. This is because in some locations grid power is not available. Wind power is both reliable and consistent; the equipment costs are relatively low as well. These systems work when wind power is available, and when it’s not available people at remote locations can use battery powered systems.  

Even if you don’t live in a remote location you may still want to take advantage of small scale window power. Small wind turbines generate about 20 kilowatts of energy and this is usually enough energy to power most US households.

There are other alternative renewable energy resources aside from solar energy and wind power, however these other systems are not as successful and are only suitable in certain locations. Hydroelectricity uses dams with high pressure water flow to produce energy. At the moment less than 10 per cent of the energy produced is in the form of hydro electricity. There are few large scale hydroelectricity dams scattered throughout the country, but most of them are out west.

People who are interested in using water to power electricity can take advantage of hydropower by placing hydropower generators in small back yard rivers and streams.

Advantages of Wind Power

Are you sick and tired of paying enormous power bills, especially during the cold winter months? If you answer yes to this question, then maybe wind power is a viable choice for you. This article will discuss in plain English what wind power is and what the advantages of wind power are.

If you are interested in living more sustainably then you may wish to do a little research to see if wind power is right for you and fits in with your allocated energy budget. The major advantage of wind power is the low environmental impact it has (this actually applies to all sources of renewable energy). 

The continual use of fossil fuels causes damage to the land and polluted air. But if the entire universe used wind power as an energy source, there would only be a slight environmental impact to produce the materials needed for wind power.

Another of the big advantages of wind power is the ability to save money in the long term. Be aware though that there are heavy start up costs involved in the installation of wind power, and it will take a bit of time before you start to reap the benefits. How much benefit you gain from wind power really depends on your wind resource, the size of your turbine, your tower height and other such factors.

Installing wind power is a fun project you can do yourself – there s no better feeling than the experience of doing it yourself. The first time I put together a wind turbine it took me ages, but the thrill of seeing it working in action is indescribable.

There are many methods for how to build your own wind generators online that detail the process and tell you which materials are required. Don’t ever doubt yourself and remember that you can build a functional and productive machine yourself.         
 

Another one of the advantages of wind power is that you can become self reliant, and with the right technology you will not have to use electricity generated from your power station ever again. However, when you first install wind power you may be a little concerned that the wind will not blow enough to give you enough energy to completely power your home 365 days a year. If this bothers you, you may wish to add batteries to the system for when there is not enough wind and the utility is down.    

Advantages of wind power include such things as an increase in the value of a property. Because wind power is becoming more popular by the day, people come to realize their true value. If you talk to any real estate agent he/she will say that a home with built in energy increases the value of a home.   

You must be convinced now with all of the advantages of wind power described above that choosing wind power is an excellent choice.  Whether you want to save money on your monthly utility bill, become self reliant or add value to your home, this is all just an arm’s reach away with wind power. Talk to your local wind power specialist about the options you have, and in no time at all your wind power dreams will turn into a reality. 

How to Build a Wind Generator?

For those people looking for ways to avoid paying money to a utility company forever, learning how to build a wind power generator is the best option to choose.

Not only is there the possibility of becoming totally independent, but when the world is suffering from the emissions from coal and gas powered plants, a renewable energy power source is a small step on the way to creating a greener planet.

Why wind energy? Well it is free and available to over 90 per cent of the USA - unless tall buildings and geographical features prevent access to a steady breeze. Building a generator is relatively simple and the cost is a lot less than many people think.

All that is needed is a structure to mount the blade on, a tail assembly to keep its attitude into the breeze, and gearing to turn the action of the blade into energy capable of being stored. Knowing this, how to build a wind powered generator will no longer be a secret.

For most people the best option is to get a kit set that needs nothing more than a few hours to assemble. There are a number of things to consider first though. Where will the structure be sited? The higher the better is one basic principle, but tall towers are not necessarily required with the modern light weight blades and generators.

How close can it be to the neighbor’s? Well again, the newer style wooden and composite fiber blades create less vibration and noise than their older counterparts.

Roof mounting will be the most likely option and the average DIY enthusiast will have no problem building this. You could even use recycled material. Keep in mind that it is important to make sure the structure won’t be affected by trees and overhanging branches.

Fixing the tail assembly to maintain the correct attitude into the wind is literally a breeze once the prevailing wind direction has been ascertained. Wind maps are available from online sources, government sites, and the homeowner that is really serious about knowing how to build a home generator should look at investing in a wind meter that over a few months will supply all the data needed.

The fixing of the gearing and generator will not tax anyone with basic DIY skills. Wiring and connection of the motor to turn the energy into electric power may require an electrician to double check connections, especially if there is an intention to supply surplus energy to the grid for credit.

The last part of knowing how to build a wind generator is considering what type of battery is needed and where to install it.  In most cases a small shed with a concrete pad will suffice. Looking for the most efficient battery and the easiest to dispose of may be a challenge for the truly green constructor.

So for anyone needing to know how to build a wind generator, the simplicity of construction and low maintenance will appeal – along with the knowledge they can be producing electricity for a whole range of options in a matter of days.

For those who have some engineering skills or electrical ability, the process may save even more money. All that is needed is a plan - books, online sites and good hardware suppliers can assist with this as well. Remember this technology is not new, but just in a development phase as we look for alternatives for new sources of energy.

Alternative Energy Solar

  
The production of energy can be rather damaging to the environment by way of carbon emissions, nuclear waste and other pollutants. Not only are these sources damaging to the environment but they are getting used up at an alarming rate and will disappear soon.

This is where alternative energy solar comes in: the sun is one resource which is available in large quantities and is constantly replenishing itself. Unlike most forms of non renewable energy, solar energy (renewable energy) is produced and consumed where it is used; this means more jobs for people in this country.

 

There are some great reasons why alternative solar power is a great energy option. For starters, you will notice some real savings on your monthly utility bill (you may actually reach a point where you don’t use a utility company at all), also making your home a more valuable asset.  

There are a number of ways where you can use alternative energy solar, and to give you a hint it’s not just to heat your water and generate electricity. Other ways you can use solar energy include cooking, passive solar design, pump water, heating your swimming pool/spa as well as landscape lighting.   

When it comes to alternative energy solar you have a few different options, you can either install small solar projects such as solar lights, or use a solar cooker, or think about installing larger solar projects such as full scale photovoltaic solar generators.

Some people who build a new home choose to utilize passive solar design. If you design your home and garden well you will reduce heating and cooling bills ten fold. By taking advantage of alternative solar energy technology you will save money by not having to maintain and purchase new equipment. 

Utilizing passive design is often a more efficient way of utilizing solar power, rather than adding solar technologies to a home - which despite your best efforts may not be entirely energy efficient.  

 

The technology that is used for alternative energy solar are photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells, or PV’s as they are often referred, are semi conductors which have two layers of silicon. It is not important for you to have a complete understanding of how PV cells work, however it is important that the contractor you hire does.      

If you are one of those people who doesn’t feel complete unless you have one do-it-yourself project on the go, then doing an alternative energy solar project might just take your fancy.   There are a range of projects online which take hardly any time and are a fun activity.

Utilizing alternative energy solar is a great idea, and you may even like to take advantage of both solar and wind power technology. 

Installing alternative energy solar is a costly business at times, and is a heavy investment. Why not take advantage of the tax credits and subsidies available? There is a plethora of information available on the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy www.dsire.org. And you can find out exactly what subsidies and incentives are available for your area.