Wind energy was first tapped perhaps as long as 5,000 years ago. Egyptian sailors were the first to take advantage of this natural source of energy. By about 500–900 A.D. Persians were building the first windmills to pump water and mill grain.
Development of the windmill continued through Western culture. In the United States, the Halladay windmill was perfected in 1847. Between 1850 and 1970, more than six million mostly mechanical windmills were installed, chiefly for pumping water. Examples of these machines are still evident in agricultural areas throughout the United States.
Modern Wind Power
Technologies have advanced to the point where modern wind turbines are now an option for residential power. The American Wind Energy Association, AWEA, has dedicated a portion of their website to small wind energy production.
According to AWEA, small wind turbines have been installed for residential use in all 50 states. The greatest concentration of installations in the USA are in the West, Northeast and Midwest where tax incentives and good wind resources complement each other.
Wind Power System Components
Depending on system design, a wind power system shares many components of a solar power system. Of course, the most important requirement is wind. While it would be cost prohibitive for most residential applications to perform a wind survey, it is necessary to have sustained winds in excess of 7–10 mph to turn turbine blades. Stronger sustained winds are desirable for increased electrical output.
Wind power systems generally have many of the same components:
- The wind turbine, sized for individual requirements.
- A tower is needed to get the turbine up into stronger, more dependable wind.
- Charge controllers control the flow of electricity into the home or grid and protect equipment.
- Inverters are required for off-the-grid systems or to be used in conjunction with batteries. Inverters convert AC power produced at the turbine to DC power to charge batteries.
- Batteries store energy for use when the wind is not blowing. The inverter converts power back to AC for use in the home.
Installation of Vertical Wind Turbines
Many factors need to be taken into consideration before installing a wind turbine. Because the process can be complex, it is recommended to have a professional complete the installation process. Besides helping determine the viability of a wind power system, a professional installer will know how to navigate electrical code and zoning issues.
Not everyone will be interested in wind turbines. Neighbors can have objections that may not be well founded but must be considered. For installation in communities with close neighbors, it is important to cultivate friendships and have conversations with neighbors to avoid conflicts that may arise from installation of a wind turbine.
With the right combination of wind and equipment, homeowners can see dramatic reductions in electricity costs. Tax credits continue to provide incentives for these alternative energy installations. However, safety and community should always be kept in mind when choosing to install a wind power system.
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