How to Build a Wind Generator

INTRODUCTION

Building a wind generator would seem to many hobbyists to be a very attractive project. The costs of energy and electricity are rising and the idea of having a product, be it a wind generator or a solar power generator that offsets the costs of electricity by providing its own, is a big bonus. It is more than possible depending on your location to build a wind generator that will produce 50%, 75% or even 100% of your energy needs, paying for itself within just a few years.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

There are two ways of going about building a wind generator. The first option, if you have the skills and tools, is to build your own. It is possible to buy books and plans on the internet for a variety of sizes of wind generators, and there is bound to be one available that will suit your budget. You will obviously need some woodworking (and possibly metalworking) skills in order to undertake project like this, but it is more than possible, and cheaper than the alternative, which is to buy a DIY wind generator kit, from somewhere like Bergey Windpower Co. (http://www.bergey.com)

If you do decide to buy a DIY kit, you will almost certainly find very precise instructions for assembly. If you are buying plans from the internet, try to find out what tools and parts are needed beforehand, as some sets of wind generator plans have out of date information or require tools or parts that the average hobbyist may not have access to.

Whichever route you decide to go down in building a wind generator, it is going to be more than just assembling a few pieces and watching your energy bills plummet, there are a variety of practical obstacles to be overcome as well.

HOW TO GO ABOUT IT

Perhaps the first thing to do is to find out whether building a wind generator is either practical or worthwhile in your area. If you area doesn’t get much wind then there is no point. Using a wind map (like the one available at http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp) will help you in determining whether your area is suitable for a wind generator. Even so, these large scale maps may be inadequate to show your local area in any detail, and you should arrange for a wind survey to be conducted by a professional, which will give you more specific information, and will help you to inform your choice of what power of wind generator to install.

Then it is important to find out about any rebate programs that may be up and running in the area in which you live, either on a state or national level. For example, in California, the state will help you to pay for your wind generator. If it is 30kW or less, then you can get financial help to the tune of $2.50 per watt up to 7.5kW (7,500 watts) and then $1.50 up to the upper limit of 30kW. That is a significant financial help where rebates of over $20,000 are not uncommon. Wherever you live, see what rebates are available in your state, as the level of help available may make a significant upward difference to the scale of product that you can afford.

You should also be aware that different areas may have different regulations and permit requirements, either on a state or local level and you will need to know what these regulations are and to comply with them.

CONCLUSION

Building your own wind generator, whether from scratch or from a kit is obviously going to be a challenge. However, it is one that is by no means insurmountable, and the satisfaction achieved, and the financial gains from having built your own wind generator make it a very worthwhile project to pursue. Check out Wind Generators to Buy: Different Types and Price Points to see what wind generators are commercially available.