Wind Turbine For Small Cabin
If you’ve been through the planning steps to see if a small wind electric system will work in your area, you’ll already have a good idea of:
- The wind speed at your location
- Your neighborhood’s zoning regulations and covenants
- Installing a wind device at your location’s economics, payback, and benefits.
It’s now time to consider the problems that come with implementing the wind system:
- Your system’s sitting – or finding the best spot for it –
- calculating the annual energy output of the device and selecting the appropriate turbine and tower size
- Whether or not to link the device to the electric grid.
Maintenance and Installation
Your wind system’s manufacturer or the dealer where you purchased it should be able to assist you with the installation of your small wind electric system. You can install the system yourself, but ask yourself the following questions before getting started:
- Is it possible for me to lay a decent cement foundation?
- Do I have access to a lift or other means of safely erecting the tower?
- Is there a difference between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) wiring that I’m aware of?
- Do I have enough electrical knowledge to safely wire my turbine?
- Is it safe for me to treat and mount batteries?
If you replied no to any of the above questions, you should probably hire a system integrator or installer to install your system. For assistance, contact the manufacturer, or check with your state energy office and local utility for a list of installers in your region. You should also look for wind energy system service providers in the yellow pages.
Additional services, such as licensing, can be provided by a reputable installer. Check to see if the installer is a qualified electrician, and ask for and check references. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau.
A small wind electric system can last up to 20 years or longer with proper installation and maintenance.
The following items can be included in annual maintenance:
- Bolts and electrical connections should be checked and tightened as required.
- Checking for corrosion on machines and ensuring that the guy wires are properly tensioned
- If necessary, inspect and repair any worn leading edge tape on the turbine blades.
- If necessary, replace the turbine blades and/or bearings after 10 years.
If you don’t have the technical know-how to keep the system running, your installer can offer a service and maintenance plan.
Sizing Small Wind Turbines
Small wind turbines for home use normally vary in size from 400 watts to 20 kilowatts, depending on how much energy you need to produce.
Per year, an average home consumes about 10,932 kilowatt-hours of electricity (about 911 kilowatt-hours per month). A wind turbine rated in the range of 5–15 kilowatts will be expected to make a significant contribution to this demand, depending on the average wind speed in the region.
In a location with an annual average wind speed of 14 miles per hour (6.26 meters per second), a 1.5-kilowatt wind turbine can meet the needs of a home requiring 300 kilowatt-hours per month.
Create an energy budget to help you figure out what size turbine you’ll need. Since energy efficiency is typically less costly than energy production, reducing your home’s electricity consumption would likely be more cost efficient and minimize the size of the wind turbine you need.
The amount of electricity produced by a wind turbine is also affected by its tower height. A manufacturer should be able to assist you in determining the tower height you’ll need.
Annual Energy Production Estimation
The best way to assess whether a wind turbine and its tower can generate enough electricity to meet your needs is to measure its annual energy production (in kilowatt-hours per year).
A wind turbine manufacturer can assist you in calculating the amount of energy you can expect. A measurement based on the following parameters will be used by the manufacturer:
- The power curve of a specific wind turbine
- Wind speed at your location on an annual basis
- The height of the tower you want to use
- Wind frequency distribution — an estimation of the number of hours the wind will blow at each speed over the course of a typical year.
This measurement should be adjusted by the manufacturer for the elevation of your location.
You may use the following formula to get a rough estimate of a wind turbine’s performance:
AEO= 0.01328 D2 V3
When and where:
AEO = Stands for annual energy generation in kilowatt-hours per year.
D = Diameter of the rotor in feet.
V = Average annual wind speed in miles per hour (mph) at your location
The distinction between power (kilowatts) and energy (kilowatt-hours) is that power (kilowatts) refers to the rate at which electricity is consumed, while energy (kilowatt-hours) refers to the quantity consumed.
Best small wind turbines for residential installations.
Alternative energy is gaining popularity among homeowners, so we’ve compiled a list of the best home wind turbines currently on the market. With more living costs, more homeowners are searching for ways to save money.
Self-generation of energy is a simple way to cut the power bill in half. Although solar energy is the most environmentally friendly choice, wind power is an excellent option for those who live in areas with consistent wind speeds.
Home wind turbines are a perfect option if you live in a remote area without access to the electric grid or if you live in a suburb and want to save money on your electricity bill. A little know-how, some property, and a high-voltage battery bank are all that is needed. You can get a mid-range home wind turbine for about $800 that will comfortably suit your needs.
6 Best Wind Turbine For Small Cabin or Home
#1 Best Overall: WINDMILL 1500W Wind Turbine Generator Kit
wind turbine for small cabin
#2 The Next Best: Tumo-Int 1000W Wind Turbine Generator Kit with Wind Boosting Controller
- Wind Speed Rating: 28 mph
- Energy Output: 1000W
- The High Points: Good energy output and low cut-in speed.
- The Not-So: Quite large and heavy, which is not ideal for mounting on the roof or an RV.
The long and spindly Tumo-Int wind turbine kit appears at first glance like a small-scale industrial wind turbine. Its white, 3-blade turbine comes with a 1000W generator that can charge a 48V battery bank, which is an impressive feat for a residential wind turbine.
The price is reasonable for such a turbine, although you can find higher wattages for cheaper in other brands. And although the entire unit clocks in at a hefty 77 lbs., the turbine is effectively silent and produces no noise.
wind turbine for home or small cabin
As one of the most unique home wind turbines available on the market, the Happybuy Wind Turbine 600W is a showstopper. With curved, vertical blades that emulate a lantern shape, this turbine is designed to generate power without the need for copious amounts of air space.
The futuristic look comes with a modest energy generating capacity, and the brand itself offers a range of wattage options, from 100W to 600W. Although this doesn’t come close to meeting the needs of an average household, the compact construction of the blades allows for you to place multiple units in the same backyard, doubling or tripling the power potential
Although the Windmax HY400 wind turbine only has a 500W generator, it still works like a charm. All in all, the Windmax is a great buy for first-time buyers who are looking for a mid-range model that’s reliable and efficient.
With black blades and a white rotor, the turbine is not the most stylish on the market. However, its updated 5-blade model, as compared to the previous 3-blade Windmax, can still help to reduce your electric bill on non-windy days. It’s silent, durable and advertises itself as maintenance-free. For most, this checks all the boxes for a low-fuss home wind turbine.
best wind turbine for small cabin
This modern looking wind turbine is sleek and effective. With 3 carbon fiber blades, the Marine Wind Turbine is able to harvest enough energy to power small devices and home appliances without making a sound.
The turbine comes equipped with all the standard essentials, plus a few extra features, like overspeed protection. Homeowners are free to place their turbines where they please, even in open bodies of water, without worry. A one-year limited warranty also offers a sense of comfort for first-time buyers who may be apprehensive about the high price tag.
With a star-shaped design, the uber modern and sleek Missouri General Freedom II is one of the most attractive home wind turbines on the market. The turbine comes in either black or white and offers a whopping 2000W energy output. With a modest price tag, the high-capacity turbine is more affordable than other models in the same wattage range.
Missouri Wind and Solar is brand-recognized in the energy industry for the amount of copper it uses in its units. Their Freedom PMG rotor boasts twice as much copper as a Delco style PMA, meaning it can charge your battery bank quicker than other generators. Not only that, but the company offers a 3-year limited warranty and a lifetime guarantee that their turbine will not break under normal use.
#3 Best Budget Pick: Happybuy Wind Turbine 600W White Lantern
#4 Best Mid-Range Option: Windmax HY400 500 W Residential Wind Generator Kit
#5 Best Home Wind Turbine for Wet Areas: 2000-Watt Marine Wind Turbine Power Generator
wind turbine for small cabin
#6 Best Home Wind Turbine for High Wind Speeds: 2000 Watt 11 Blade Missouri General Freedom II Wind Turbine
