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Electricity-generating wind turbines have been around for about a century now, and they’re still evolving. Perhaps more importantly, their prices have gone down steadily. Each basic category of wind turbine, of which there are a few, has its own specific attributes and is suited to certain applications.

Since they were introduced around 1930, large, commercial wind generators have improved in a number of ways. Among these enhancements are superior blade design (which itself is mostly thanks to newly available materials), greater efficiency, and improved reliability. In order to handle high winds on a consistent basis and thus produce a large amount of power, these turbines are usually made from especially heavy materials.

For that same reason, wind generators of this type are usually set up in areas that receive the highest winds, such as shorelines. Reliability is key for these kinds of wind generators, as their out-of-the-way locations mean that frequent repairs aren’t an option. Large-scale turbines often exceed 0,000 in price, which is due in large part to these factors.

The other major class of wind turbine is those designed for residential use. Residential areas, due to the presence of buildings and other obstacles, often have regular shifts in wind patterns, and this was a tricky problem for early residential-use turbines to overcome.

Early models also had problems with regard to weight. They would usually need special support structures, and they were only really able to generate much power from very strong winds. Most homeowners considered these early models too expensive and inefficient to be appropriate for them.

These problems are addressed by micro turbines, which are the latest type of turbine to be used in residential environments. These turbines usually don’t require the use of a tower, as they are capable of generating impressive amounts of energy from even low winds. There are some micro turbines on the market now that can be mounted on the roof of a house. By turning at all times, even in low winds, these small units output a steady stream of power. Starting at about 0, these micro turbines are also relatively inexpensive and are well within the range in which the electrical bill savings they provide will quickly justify their price

Depending on a number of factors, wind turbine cost can vary greatly. Some homeowners are even building their own wind turbines, which makes them even more affordable. All it takes are some common tools and the right instructions, and just about anybody can put together a wind turbine, and get the lifelong savings that come with it.

For information about the advantages and disadvantages of wind power, go to Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power.

For the greatest guide to making your own wind turbine, including step by step videos, go to Earth4Enegry Review.

For another guide to building a diy solar panel, visit How to Build a Wind Turbine.

Residential wind turbines are an excellent way of generating power, thanks to developments seen in the past ten years. New materials and technological advancements have made improved turbine designs possible, which in turn generate even more energy from less wind than ever before. Furthermore, there are plenty of styles and sizes of residential turbines available now, and interested parties are certain to find one that meets their specifications with regard to size and power.

Advantages

Endless energy

We’ll never run out of wind (though the same can’t be said about some other energy sources). The wind will keep on providing energy – as long as we do what it takes to harness it – endlessly. As we’re all learning, that certainly isn’t the case with fossil fuels. Non-renewable sources of energy like oil, coal and natural gas are just that – non-renewable. As difficult as it may be to imagine, we will eventually run out of those things. Dwindling supplies mean increasing prices, and the unlimited nature of wind means that its price is constant, and therefore more and more attractive by comparison.

Free power

If you’re using wind energy, you won’t have to worry about kilowatt hours or anything like that. After the one-off cost of installing a wind turbine, you have permanent, free power. The previously unrealistic goals of getting off the grid and saying goodbye forever to electric bills are now attainable with the use of residential wind turbines.

Clean energy

Wind power is completely free of pollution. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, generate all kinds of pollution. By using wind power, you can reduce your carbon footprint significantly.

Forget about foreign oil

Many experts say these days that dependence on foreign oil is a major issue for our country with regard to both security and economics. One of the most effective ways to reduce dependence on foreign oil to switch to wind power, as this will eliminate the need for oil of any sort.

Energy at all times

Residential wind turbines can generate electricity 24 hours a day in any weather. Solar panels, meanwhile, only generate electricity when the sun is out. Thus, with solar panels, it’s likely that you’ll still find it necessary to purchase electricity from a power company. These restrictions don’t apply to wind power.

No home orientation problems

Also, even when the sun is shining, solar panels need to have the proper exposure to the sun in order to work at peak efficiency. This means that solar panels aren’t a good choice for homes that have a lot of shade, or where the roof isn’t aligned appropriately. A wind generator isn’t subject to the same restrictions. You can also get the same amount of power from a wind generator while using less space than solar panels would.

Drawbacks

Installation cost

Make no mistake: a wind generator is a significant investment. In the long run, though, the free electricity that comes from a wind turbine will more than offset the initial cost. Furthermore, you can seriously reduce that cost by putting together your own wind generator, as many people do. If you’re interested take a look at Wind Generator Plans.

Height requirement

If you’re using a larger type of wind generator, you’ll need to make sure that it’s mounted high enough to be exposed to consistent, strong wind. It might be necessary to mount the turbine at a significant height depending on the level of the surrounding tree line and/or the height of any nearby buildings. This means that, often, users mount wind generators on top of towers or other tall structures. This may mean that it’s necessary to obtain HOA approval or other kinds of permits, which in turn create some additional up-front cost. Though, again, building a homemade wind generator will help lower the cost.

Wind requirement

Wind generators work best in areas with consistent wind. Thus, the most effective locations for wind turbines are those which see the strongest and most consistent wind. This means that wind power can be produced most effectively in locations with relatively few buildings or trees. This means that, for the most part, the types of locations where you don’t even have to consider putting your wind turbine on a tall structure are the prime areas for wind generators anyway. A DIY guide will teach you how to build a wind generator.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power. An increasing number of homeowners are finding out that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Even compared to other renewable energy sources, wind power has a variety of distinct advantages. The benefits of wind power in many ways directly correspond to the drawbacks of solar (and vice versa). Solar and wind power do have the common drawback of being expensive to start up. Perhaps the best way to deal with this issue, if you find the expense is discouraging you from moving forward, is to build a wind generator yourself.