Buying a wind turbine or wind generator can be very difficult. Especially when you are considering purchasing a larger wind turbine system to achieve excess electricity to sell back to the grid. Whether you’re looking for a small wind turbine, residential turbine, an industrial megawatt turbine, or an entire wind farm, we’re here to help.
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We want to make sure that you buy the right wind turbine delivering you the right amount of energy for your requirements with tips to ‘How to buy a wind turbine. MWPS World– the best Wind Power site on the internet knows your questions when it comes to purchasing a wind turbine system for your land to generate some extra cash for you from the freely available wind.
We have combined here for you a list of answers to your questions which then follows a simple 13 Step-by-Step guide as to how to buy a wind turbine and how to go about finding out if buying a wind turbine is the right decision to make.
Your questions about how to buy a wind turbine:
How do wind turbines work?
A wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electrical system.
In a normal residential application, a home is served simultaneously by the wind turbine and a local utility. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph) there will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the house needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a modern residential wind system.
Also, watch this high-quality video animation to see how wind power actually works and how the electricity produced by a commercially operating wind turbine to your home!
Will I have to change the wiring of my house?
No, Grid-tie converters can be connected to your existing power circuit. No. A wind turbine is easily retrofitted to virtually any home without the need to change any wiring or appliances. In most cases, the utility will install a second utility meter to measure how much surplus electricity it is purchasing from the turbine owner.
Will I save money?
Yes, if you purchase the right sized turbine and there is sufficient wind at your location – The wind turbine typically lowers your electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent. It is not uncommon for wind turbine owners with total-electric homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the year. In northern parts of the country where less air conditioning is used the bills can be very low year-round. The amount of money a small wind turbine or a large wind turbine system saves you and generates surplus income, in the long run, will depend upon its cost, the amount of electricity you use, the average wind speed at your site and other factors such as costs for maintenance. The economics of a wind system are very sensitive to the average wind speed in the area and to a lesser extent, the cost of purchasing electricity. As a general rule of thumb, a turbine owner should have at least a 6m or better 7m-10 m/s average wind speed per annum at his site and be paying at least 10 cents/kWh for electricity.
Will I make money?
Yes, provided your system is able to generate excess energy with the wind available at your site location. A small wind turbine typically lowers your electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent. It is not uncommon for wind turbine owners with total-electric homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the year. In cooler parts of your country where less air conditioning is being used the bills can be very low year-round. But if you want to generate extra income, you must opt for a larger-sized wind turbine to be able to produce excess electricity and to achieve a sound return on your investment. This should be no less than 45,000 kWh excess electricity generated by your wind turbine system per annum. As a general rule of thumb, in order to generate a profitable additional income, a turbine owner should receive at least 10 cents/kWh for the excess electricity sold back to the local grid utility.
What about towers?
Different sized towers are usually available for any size wind turbine. Minimum tower sizes are 80- to 120-foot which are usually supplied along with the wind turbine. Towers this tall are necessary to raise the wind turbine above turbulence generated by obstacles on the ground and trees. Wind velocity and, therefore wind turbine performance, increase with altitude. Several different types of towers are available, depending on which manufacturer you select. Each type has its advantages; the most economical type of tower is the guyed lattice tower, but a hinged tower can be easier for you to install yourself and provides easier access for maintenance. However, larger turbines require steel towers for which a sound foundation must be constructed.
How much does a wind turbine cost?
Smaller sized turbines cost $6,000 to $22,000 and larger sized turbines start at approx. $50,000 for a 20Kw system up to $200,000 for a 100Kw system and $300,000 to $3,000,000 for turbines in the range of 250kW – 2,500kW
How reliable are wind turbines?
Wind turbines have very few moving parts and do not require any regular maintenance. However, moving parts are required regular maintenance (usually once or twice per annum) and it is not unheard of for turbines to operate for up to 25 years if maintained and serviced regularly.
Will it help the environment?
Yes, any non-carbon dioxide power generating device will help the environment. Wind turbines produce no pollution and by using wind power you will be offsetting pollution that would have been generated by your utility company. Over its life, a small residential wind turbine can offset approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide and other gasses which cause climate change). Larger turbine systems offset multiple times more than this.
Do I have to take wind measurements for a year or more?
No, but a wind assessment will be necessary – more details later on but generally, wind resource data published by the U.S. Department of Energy is sufficient for an experienced evaluator to predict wind turbine performance. In very hilly or mountainous areas, however, it may be best to collect wind data before purchasing a system to ensure that your site is not in a sheltered area.
Do wind turbines make noise?
Yes, but a modern residential wind turbine at a distance of 50m is no noisier than a combination boiler working in your basement. However, it is recommended for large-sized, industrial-sized wind turbines starting from 100kW upwards to be installed at a greater distance to your home usually at a distance of at least 150m+
What are the companies that sell wind turbines?
There are many manufacturers and dealerships providing professional sales and after-service.
Simply ‘Google’ the term ‘Wind Turbines For Sale’ and the search results will usually show you a large list of local and professional wind turbine suppliers from your local area.
How to buy a wind turbine. Most dealers also offer either complete turnkey (ready-to-operate) installations or the option to purchase directly from the factory and install the system yourself. The first option offers more customer support from the company. Self-installation offers significant savings and a hands-on understanding of the turbine. Prospective owners can discuss the options available from manufacturers to decide which method best suits their budget and technical skills. However, for larger-sized wind turbines, self-installation is not really an option unless you are a wind turbine installation manager yourself and all you need is to hire a construction firm to undertake the necessary work under your supervision.
What size turbine would I need for my home or business?
A wind turbine can be a relatively large device and is not suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes and a property size of one acre or more is desirable.
Homes use is approximately 9,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year (about 780 kWh per month). Depending upon the average wind speed in the area, a wind turbine rated in the range of 5 to 15 kilowatts would be required to make a significant contribution to meet this demand. Remember, if you want to generate extra income, your system needs to be able to produce excess electricity and to achieve a sound return on your investment and as said before, this should be no less than 45,000 kWh of excess electricity generated by your wind turbine system per annum.
Will I have problems obtaining planning permissions?
Not if the local town planning office has already granted planning permissions for wind turbines in your area before. Drive and look around in your local area and if you can or have seen operating wind turbines then it is most likely that obtaining planning permission is just a technicality and a question of paying the necessary fees. However, you may live in an area often referred to as ‘Land of Outstanding Natural Beauty which means that it is highly unlikely to obtain a building permit for larger-scale wind turbines.
Want to go ahead and buy a wind turbine?
Here are the steps you take for a successful project:
STEP-By-STEP GUIDE to
‘How To Buy A Wind Turbine’
1.) Firstly, you need to find out if there is enough wind at all available at your site’s location. Google search for any available wind maps in your country and the location of your site. Note! The average yearly wind speed for your area should be at least 6m or better 7m-10m/s or higher per annum. You can also refer to Wind resource data published by your local Environmental Department or your Department of Energy
2.) Contact your local township or county planning office and find out the max. tower/hub height and max. rotor diameter for a wind turbine allowed in your area. You need to know this to establish the maximum size turbine (by kWh output) you will be allowed to operate at your site location.
Now you know roughly how much wind power is available at your location and you also know the max. rotor diameter and hub height allowed for a wind turbine to operate at your site. With this information, you are now able to estimate the amount of electricity likely to be generated by a given wind turbine over the course of a year. How do I get this estimate?
3.) Use the Annual Electricity Output Calculator at http://bit.ly/XToq8 to calculate the expected yearly kWh output by entering the max. rotor diameter size is given to you by your local town planning office ….make a note of the result and….. (don’t forget to come back here to read on)
4.) Calculate the average yearly electricity kWh consumption of your home or business.
5.) Subtract your average yearly kWh consumption from the estimated kWh generated. Is the result at least 45,000 kWh? If the answer is yes, then your site has the potential to generate extra income for you by harnessing the wind.
6.) The next step is to contact your local utility provider and ensure that ‘a net metering’ – ‘Buy Back Scheme’ is available.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit wind turbine dealers near me.
7.) If yes, ask for the utility rate (¢ per kWh ) paid. The higher the utility rate is (¢ per kWh), the more economical your wind turbine system becomes.
8.) Multiply the utility rate (¢ per kWh) paid with the yearly kWh excess we have calculated earlier. This will be your estimated extra yearly income.
9.) Now if you want to go ahead – Contact your township planning office and obtain a special-use permit.
10.) Contact your local environment department – ask for grants available and apply for any available grant, no matter how small it may be. Remember, every little bit helps.
11.) Now it’s time to go shopping! Go to our ‘Renewable Marketplace’ for used wind turbines, 12v converters, 24v converter, 48v, w max/48v hybrid wind, w modified sine wave converters, w inverters, 500W, 1Kw, 2Kw, 10Kw, 20Kw, 50Kw, 100Kw, 150Kw, 200Kw, 600Kw, 750Kw, 1Mw, 1.5Mw used and second-hand wind turbines, DIY wind turbines and micro wind turbines for both horizontal axis or vertical axis.
12.) Decide on a Grid-tie wind turbine package that is tailor-made to your requirements and budget.
13.) If the size of your turbine does not allow for Self-installation, decide on an ‘All In’ package from your dealer which would include construction work and installation, or hire an independent project manager specialized in wind turbine installation and a local technical engineering or construction firm to work under his supervision.
Your project is completed – Go and harness the wind for a greener planet!
Small Wind Turbines for Homes & Businesses
Updated June
How do they work?
The wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects wind energy and converts it into electricity. The turbine output is then made electrically compatible with the utility and the output is fed into the household wiring at the breaker panel.
The home is served simultaneously by the wind turbine and the utility. If the wind speed is below about 7 mph there will be no output from the wind turbine and all the needed energy is bought from the utility. As the wind speed increases the turbine output begins and increases and the amount of energy purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine output is more than the house needs, the excess electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a standard residential wind system.
The wind turbine typically lowers your utility bill by 50-100%. It is not uncommon for homeowners with total electric homes and Bergey turbines to have monthly utility bills of $15-$20 for most of the year. In northern parts of the country, where less air conditioning is used, the bills can be very low year round.
What size would I need for my home?
Homes typically use 1,000-2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. Depending upon the average wind speed in the area this will require a wind turbine rated in the range 5-15 kilowatts. Our 10 kW unit, the BWC EXCEL 10, is the best-selling residential unit in the U.S. It has a rotor diameter of 23 feet and is typically installed on 80 or 100 foot towers. In , we introduced a new 15 kW turbine with advanced features and an energy production capacity over double that of our 10 kW. If you have at least a moderately good wind resource, the new Excel 15 can provide all the energy needed for a total electric home (and allowing you to replace fuel oil or propane heating) and an electric car.
Who should consider buying one?
A wind turbine is a relatively large device and it is not suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. We recommend a property size of two acres or more unless your closest neighbors are supportive. The economics of a wind system are determined by the average wind speed in the area, the availability of rebates or tax credits, and the cost of electricity. As a general rule-of-thumb, we recommend that you have at least a 10 mph average wind speed and be paying 12¢/kilowatt-hour or more for electricity. We have wind resource maps for the entire U.S. and we can provide you with information on your wind resource and performance projections. Residential wind turbines have been installed in all 50 states.
Will it help the environment if I install a wind turbine at my home?
Wind turbines produce no pollution and by using wind power you will be offsetting pollution that would have been generated by your utility company. Over its nominal 30 year life a BWC EXCEL 10 or Excel 15 will offset approximately 1.2 – 3 tons of air pollutants and 200 – 500 tons of greenhouse gases.
Don’t I have to take wind measurements for a year or more?
No. For residential systems the cost of taking wind measurements is not justified in most situations. Wind resource data published by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, 2Tier and AWS Scientific is sufficient to predict performance. In very hilly or mountainous areas, however, it may be prudent to take wind data before purchasing a system to ensure that your site in not in a sheltered area.
Are wind turbines reliable, and what about maintenance?
Bergey Windpower sells more residential systems than anyone else because our turbines have proven to be the most reliable on the market. Our turbines have only 2 – 4 moving parts and do not require any regular maintenance. After a 66 month test of one of our 10 kW units, Wisconsin Power & Light concluded that, “The turbines’ reliability could not be improved upon.” Our turbines are designed to last 30-50 years or more and they operate completely automatically.
Do they make noise or interfere with TV reception?
Small wind turbines do make some noise, but not enough to be found objectionable by most people. They do not interfere with TV reception.
Will the utility company allow me to hook-up a wind generator?
Federal regulations (PURPA) require utilities to allow you to install a wind generator and to pay you for any excess power you produce. Bergey Windpower and its dealers can assist you in arranging the required utility company approvals.
Will I have to change any of the wiring in my house?
No, a wind turbine is easily retrofitted to virtually any home without need of changing any wiring or appliances. In some states a second utility meter will be added, however, so that the utility can know how much electricity you have sold to them.
What about towers?
Usually a tower of between 80-140 feet is supplied along with the wind turbine. Towers this tall are needed to get above the turbulence generated by obstacles and trees on the ground. Also, wind velocity, and, therefore, wind turbine performance, increases as you get higher off the ground. For most situations an 80 or 100 foot tower is sufficient. The most economical type of tower is the guyed lattice type, but many customers prefer the slightly more costly self-supporting lattice tower due to its smaller footprint.
How much do they cost?
A Bergey residential wind turbine costs approximately $65,000 – 95,000 to install. The large range in costs is due to different types and heights of towers and variations in the amount of construction work required. Your Bergey dealer can do a site survey and provide you with a firm quotation. Small wind turbine qualify for federal tax credits and state rebates, where available. For businesses there are also substantial depreciation benefits. These incentives can greatly reduce your costs and payback period.
How are they as an investment?
That depends on your cost of electricity and average wind speed. The wind system will usually recoup its investment through utility savings within 5 – 10 years and after that the electricity it produces will be virtually free. Compared to purchasing utility power, a wind system can be a good investment because your money goes to increasing the value of your home rather than just paying for a service. Many people buy wind systems for their retirement because they are concerned about utility rate increases.
How would I proceed to have a wind turbine installed at my home?
We highly recommend that you work with an authorized Bergey dealer for a complete turnkey installation.
How can I get more information?
We would be happy to send you further information on our small wind turbines or answer any of your questions. Just call, or write to Bergey Windpower Co. at the address below. We also recommend the web site of the Distributed Wind Energy Association: www.distributedwind.org For information on subsidies and regulations for your state we suggest: www.dsireusa.org
For a detailed reference book on small wind we recommend Paul Gipe’s book “Wind Power for the Rest of Us: A Comprehensive Guide to Wind Power and How to Use It”. This $65.00, 576-page paperback book (or $20 electronic version) can be purchased from www.amazon.com.
Call us at 1-405-364- or us at [ protected] if you have additional questions…or write us at: Bergey Windpower Co., Industrial Blvd., Norman, OK .
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