WIND GENERATED ELECTRICITY

Wind and Water Power

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What size machine do I need?

A. The size of depends upon the amount of power you use. The higher the electrical demand you have, the larger the machine needed. Also, if you live in an area with low wind, you need a larger machine to produce the most power from the available wind.

Q. How tall of a tower do I need?

A. A tower must be no shorter than 15 ft above any obstruction within a 300 ft radius. The minimum recommended height is 30 ft. A good way to find out how tall your tower should be, is to use 5 helium balloons with a 100 ft string. Every 10 ft put a ribbon down to the height of 30 ft.  Then, watch which ribbon is sticking out straight, that is the height you want to put your machine for the best performance. The ribbons should be about 10 ft long.

Q. How much power will a wind machine produce?

A. Machines are rated at maximum output at wind speeds of 30-35 MPH. A 10 KW machine will produce 10 KW of power per hour at that wind speed. Since that type of wind is not always blowing, the multi-blade design enables the start up generation of power at 3-6 MPH and as the wind speed increases, so does the power output.

Q. What if the wind isn’t blowing?

A. If you have a utility interconnect there is no problem, because the utility’s power takes over. If you have been connected to the power line, and putting your excess power into the line causing your meter to turn backwards, you will have a credit until the end of the year that you can use when you have to buy electricity from the power company.  So, you will not be charged, unless you use more power than you have a credit for. With an independent remote power system, power that is stored in batteries can be used during times when no wind power is being generated.

Q. With an independent remote system, how many batteries will I need?

A. Battery output should match the wind machine’s output.  Think of batteries like a bank account.  The more Amperage you have, the longer you can draw out.  To determine how much power you are going to use in Watts, add up all your electronics and appliances.

Q. What kind of tower should I use?

A. You may use a compression tower, which is less expensive.  Or, you may use a free standing tower which costs more. A free standing tower does not require as complex a guy wire system s as a compression tower.  Subsequently, free standing towers occupy less overall ground space.  Additionally,  free standing towers have better stability.

Q. What does an inverter do?

A. An inverter converts DC power to AC power.

Q. What voltage can I use?

A. Inverters come in 12V—24V—48V, 120V DC to 120 Volt AC power.

Q. What voltage do I need to run an inverter?

A. You must first calculate your total power consumption. The inverter you use must be rated at least 25% higher than this figure to prevent overloading.

Q. What is a True Sine Wave Inverter?

A. A True Sine Wave Synchronous Inverter produces a 60 Hz cycle just like household power from the power company.

Q. What is a Modified Square Wave Inverter?

A. Modified Square Wave Inverters produce a shaped square or triangle wave at 60 Hz.  This translates to a high percentage of medium to high order harmonics distorting the 60 Hz sine wave cycle.  This degree of "noise" may cause problems with some electronic devices.  Though, generally Modified Square Wave Inverters will work with most appliances.  However, they cannot be interfaced with the power line.

Q. Can I run my house with wind power?

A. There are many people out there without power lines. For example, a 7.5 KW machine combined with batteries may be sufficient for your residence. 

Q. Can I power my business or industry with wind power?

A. Yes!  Why rely on the power companies.  Wind power will pay for itself.  Stop sending your profits to the power companies.  We can configure wind machines to provide electricity for small businesses, agricultural operations, and light to heavy industry (including mining).

Q. What is the power factor in the wind?

A. Every time the wind doubles, the power factor increases 8 times (8:1 ratio). For example, if you have a 10 KW wind machine, and the wind blows at 12 MPH for 24 hours, you would get 49.9 KW in that time. However, if the wind blows at 24 MPH for only 12 hours, you would get 419 KW in that time!

Q. Should I get a three blade, a single blade, or a multi-blade machine?

A. If you have a constant high wind, you could use a two or three propeller machine. If your average wind is below 12 MPH you would be much better off with a multi-blade propeller, as they start at much lower wind speed.

Q. What size machine should I buy?

A. Big enough to take care of all of your power needs.  We recommend sizing your system at least 25% above your measured power consumption. If you set up your equipment properly, you can be just as comfortable as you would be with the power line.

Q. What machine is best for me?

A. The permanent magnet machines are the best in direct drive generators because they are 90% efficient.

Q. What is a permanent magnet alternator?

A. Permanent magnet alternators are self-energizing. They do not require electricity to start.

Q. What about water turbines?

A. If you have a flowing creek, you have a gold mine!  It is steady power.

Q. What type of Water Turbines are best?

A. Micro Hydroelectric turbines with a head range from 20 to 200 ft, or a custom manufactured floating turbine,  are best suited for most applications.  Micro Hydroelectric uses  two nozzles or intakes each with a 2” intake pipe.  A Floating System must be custom built for the volume and speed of water flow.

Q. Is solar better than wind?

A. Solar is a good compliment to wind and water.  However, it does not work at night.  Also, It is usually more expensive per watt.  Solar can cost up to $7 per watt.  Wind machines cost $1-$1.50 per watt.  Average sunlight  varies according to Earth position and time of year.  Wind can blow DAY AND NIGHT.  Water runs DAY AND NIGHT.

Q. Should I combine wind & solar?

A. Wind, water (if available), and solar compliment each other.  You will always get some amount of power from solar during the day, even if it is cloudy.  On most cloudy days it is windy, and on most clear sunny days there is little wind.  Creeks usually flow all of the time.  So, wind, water, and solar make a great combination.

Q. Should I buy more batteries?

A. Batteries are like a bank account.  No matter how much you start out with, if you keep drawing out of it and you don't replenish it, you will run out!!!  We can calculate how many batteries you will require, if you let us know how much power you use.