Saturday, January 9, 2010

The Truth About Wind Turbines


By Manuel Vintagoli

Converting natural resources into energy is not a new idea. Steam power, hydroelectric power, and solar power are a few familiar examples. But as concerns about global warming increase, we are all looking for more ways to harness clean energy. One technology seeing resurgence is the harnessing of wind power. It has been used for many decades in the form of windmills, and more recently you will find wind turbines being used together in large-scale wind farms.

But is a wind turbine a practical option for today's homeowner? It depends on individual circumstances. It is a lot like solar energy in that it has been easier to implement on a large scale than a small scale. It took years of research and technological advancements to get solar power to a place where it was practical and affordable for residential applications. Wind turbines technologies are following that same path.

To get a better understanding of whether or not wind energy is right for you, you need to know how it works. A windmill and a wind turbine are different in that a windmill uses the power of the wind directly to perform the desired task, usually pumping water. A wind turbine uses the power of the wind to create electricity which can then be used for any application. Essentially it is a wind-powered generator.

There are definitely advantages to using a wind turbine. You get very clean energy from an endlessly renewable resource. This is not only great for the environment, but it means you will have no power bills and could live off the grid! Plus, you may be able to sell excess energy back to the power company and make some money!

There are some challenges you will need to overcome. One is availability. Only a select few sell quality systems, so they can be hard to find. You will also need to check into zoning restrictions. You should also check if extra wind power can be sold back to your power company. The rules vary with location.

Also, to make sure you can generate the power you need, you will have to understand the wind charts for your location. You will also need to have the proper amount of acreage and tower height to eliminate wind pattern interference from buildings and things nearby. Because of this, wind power in highly populated areas is unlikely at the present time.

The fact of it is, though, if you really want to use wind energy for your home, it is possible. If you meet the necessary requirements and do your research, it really could turn out to be a viable option for you. When you consider all the clean, free energy you will produce, the investment in time and capital will give you great returns down the line.

If you are not quite ready to put in this kind of work, just wait awhile. There are such strong governmental incentives to develop technologies to support clean energy, the wind turbine for residential use may just get the attention it deserves. Already they are working on designs that are more powerful, efficient, and quieter. Soon you may see wind turbines powering homes just the way you now see solar power being used!

By all means, keep watching the trends and evaluating your options. The more we all do to convert to clean energy solutions, the better it will be for our planet. Ultimately, considering a wind turbine for your home could be one of the most important investments you ever make.

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