Posts from — July 2009

Many times when we think of wind energy, the first picture that surfaces is those large windmills out on farm land around the country. Have you ever wondered how they work? They really aren't hard to understand, it's just a few blades connected to a shaft that rotates and creates power. We make it sound easier then it is, but we'll get into a little more detail in a minute.

Here's a better example. Do you remember those little windmills you could stick in the front yard? Wind turbines work the same way. Obviously the technology is extremely better then those things we remember as kids, but the concept is to use wind and turn it into energy. While windmills are common, there are other terminologies used when electricity is generated. Whether it's a wind power unit, a wind energy converter, or wind generator, they're all the same.

Probably the most popular is the horizontal-axis wind turbine, commonly referred to as the HAWT. These have a rotor shaft and generator which are located at the top of the tower. In order to get the most benefit out of it, they have to face into the wind. When you get into the bigger versions they'll have sensors to go along with a servo motor. In short, it allows these machines to produce more energy by rotating the blades at a quicker pace.

To understand the complexity of this fully, the turbines must be positioned upwind in order to create a substantial amount of power. The good news is they are extremely durable, and specifically built to keep from collapsing. This is nice to know considering all the turbulence and strong winds that come through at these heights.

If the HAWT isn't what you need, one of the VAWTS might be better for you. These are setup in a vertical position and much lower to the ground. While it's a great benefit if you need to do maintenance or repairs, it hurts you in the long run. These don't produce nearly as much energy as the HAWTS, but they are more convenient if that's what you're looking for when creating wind energy .

It is quite hard for get these vertical-axis turbines to be mounted onto the towers. This means that they are most of the times installed more toward the base of where they sit, as in a roof of a building or the ground.

When you see these towers, none of them are small. It is recommended that they be at least 100 feet high so they can get an increase in energy.

If you want to truly do your part and take advantage of a renewable resource, try combining it with solar power as well. It will allow you to reduce your energy costs, help keep the environment cleaner, and let everyone around you breathe cleaner air.

The world's energy supplies are limited, and they are being used up rapidly. Is it any wonder that people are looking to alternative energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint?

But if the money is not available, it doesn't matter how environmentally-aware you are. It's the one thing that has prevented many well-meaning householders from acting

To have a home solar power system set up by a professional, you could be talking in the thousands. This is out of reach for many average households.

You could get the materials, and make a solar panel yourself. It would produce power, but it would only be in a small amount, maybe enough to power a small light. To provide enough power for the whole house, you would need a solar power kit.

A kit like this has everything you need to set up a solar power system suitable for a family home. It would not take a high level of DIY skills, just average skills will do.

It's not difficult to find these solar panel kits - they are being produced by some of the biggest electricity companies, like GE. Getting a solar panel kit is the first step in a process that will mean saving you a lot of money.

These kits have instructions that are easy to follow. Even a child could understand them. And why not get your children involved in the build process? It could be a good learning process for them.

Getting your solar panels working, and connected into your electricity supply, has to be one of the most rewarding tasks you could do. Nothing like getting your own power from the sun!

The savings you can expect are considerable indeed. To have your energy bill reduced by 80% is not unusual, and you could have it eliminated completely. And you could build a complete system for less than $200. If you decide to go ahead, there are many useful and comprehensive guides that you can get.