Creating Wind Energy at Home

Planning

• 1

  Check with the local authorities whether it is permitted to raise high towers, specifically wind turbine towers, in your area. If towers are permitted, ask about a maximum height. Check your land for open areas that may be suitable for a wind turbine tower, taking into consideration the height required to clear obstructions.

• 2

  Add up your electric consumption and calculate how much you pay per year. Check prices for different sizes of wind turbines and calculate how much money you would save, checking the windpoweringamerica.gov website for maps indicating how much wind you can expect in your area. Reduce the amount of power your wind turbine will generate if you live in an area with low average wind speeds.

• 3

  Check with your utility to see if it will permit a grid-connect arrangement for your wind power and what conditions apply. Plan to get a grid-connect inverter that satisfies the conditions because it will allow you to sell surplus electricity back to the utility. Make sure your proposed wind turbine is below the maximum size allowed by the utility.

Purchase and Installation

• 4

  Get a wind turbine sized to satisfy a portion of your electricity needs, depending on how much you want to spend, how much money you will save on electricity and how high a tower and how large a turbine you want to install. Get a tower sized to clear obstructions, but of a type and size you can lower and raise for turbine maintenance and repair.

• 5

  Get a turbine kit that comes with all the necessary connectors and hardware, including the wiring to go up the mast. Get a grid-connect inverter that satisfies the utility conditions for connecting to their system and one that comes with the required cabling and metering.

• 6

  Pour the foundation for the tower according to the tower manufacturer's specifications. Install the turbine on the tower and raise the tower per the manufacturer's instructions. Connect the grid-connect inverter according to the utility and the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, hire a professional to carry out the installation for you. Keep track of the power generated by the wind turbine to make sure it is performing as planned.