Picking Wind Turbines: Part 1
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by: TylerHodger | Total views: 39 | Word Count: 538
As is normally the case when using renewable energy sources, starting to use wind energy bestows many benefits. That being said, there are a lot of considerations to make before one makes the commitment.
Here are 8 attributes that should be considered:
1. Power requirements: it is important to evaluate your houses power requirements. Generally speaking, the bigger the blades, the greater the power they generate. While smaller turbines require less space (and may be more appropriate for people with less land to use), they are not as efficient as the larger ones and also require constant maintenance. If you live in a small place and have modest energy requirements, getting a large wind turbine - even if it is a good option in other respects - may not be ideal for you.
2. Average wind speeds in your area: the power that a wind turbine can potentially generate directly depends on wind speeds in the area it will be placed in. Before buying a wind turbine, go to the US Department of Energys website and look for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy section which provides information on wind availability for various regions of the country. If you reside in an area with weak winds, then a wind turbine may not be suitable for your needs.
3. Quality: Since wind turbines can potentially be used for a long, long time, it is essential that the one that is picked requires as little repair and maintenance as possible. Thus, getting a high quality product may be expensive in the short term but not in the long term.
4. Manufacturer warranty: as stated, since wind turbines can be potentially used for a lifetime, it is important to pick one that has a long warranty. Furthermore, when a manufacturer offers warranty for a long period of time, it often means that it is highly confident of the quality of its product.
5. Brand name: as is always the case when purchasing a product, certain brand names are known to be good unlike product names no one has heard of. Therefore, it is a good idea to go through product reviews. These can be found on various forum sites, internet shops, and DIY websites. Of course, consulting a specialist cant hurt either and may be the best thing to do considering the investment.
6. Advice from people who have gone through the process: nothing beats experience, and so asking the advice of people who have installed or used wind turbines can be invaluable. Forum websites can enable you to contact people whom have gone through the process. Even the best products may have issues, and no one would be more qualified to give an advice than a person who has tried to use a product " for better or worse.
7. Setup costs: although for some products this is negligible, for wind turbine systems this could be as high as 40% of the total costs. This should be taken into account.
8. Residential usage: clearly some wind turbines should only be used in commercial settings. Before making a purchase, make sure you buy one that could be used in individuals' homes.
In our next article, we will survey various types of wind turbines and who may benefit the most from them.
About the Author
Tyler Hodger has been practicing the application of renewable energy sources for decades. Here he analyzed several issues in buying wind turbine systems. For more articles that will examine different types of renewable energy sources and suggest ways to utilize them, visit his website: Green Planet and Me.
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