Ever wonder if you could generate wind power in your own backyard? You don’t have to have a ton of land or extremely windy conditions to benefit from a wind turbine. Smaller models around 15 feet in diameter perched atop a 40- to 100-foot tower are popping up at homes, farms and businesses all over the country. Green Living Ideas gives us the scoop on how to determine whether wind power is right for your property, and how to get started.
From Green Living Ideas:
Many models of residential-scale wind turbines can be connected to the electric grid so that a consumer has power even when the wind isn’t blowing. Grid interconnection also means that if the consumer doesn’t use as much electricity as the turbine produces, the excess can be fed backwards into the grid for credit on the consumer’s monthly electric bill.
Small wind turbines are also popular choices for people who live in remote locations, away from the electric grid. Uses for these off-the-grid turbines include powering cabins, pumping water on farms, and even powering accessories on sailboats. For these applications, the turbine charges batteries to supply electricity even when the wind doesn’t blow.
Small wind systems are most practical for individuals or businesses located in areas with above-average wind speeds, and with at least half an acre of open land to allow the wind to “stretch its legs.” Regions where electricity prices are also especially high make small wind systems an attractive investment.
Green Living Ideas also offers information about pricing, zoning, and preparing neighbors who might be opposed to the idea.
For those who can afford the initial expense, wind power is a great way to generate your own energy and lessen your dependence on fossil fuels, and hopefully it will become more affordable through tax credits in the future.
Link [Green Living Ideas]
Photo credit: Symscape.com
