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installation
Interested In Setting Up A Small Wind Turbine At Home?
1. You can assess wind resources using an anemometer that measures wind speed. A weather station that includes an anemometer can be bought from the Alternative Technology Association (ATA). The cost of a small weather station with anemometer is around $200. Power predictors sell for about $275.00 2. If you live within 2km of the NSW coast and are not surrounded by trees then you should have enough wind to run a turbine. 3. Wind turbines are rated at maximum output e.g. a 1 kW turbine produces 1 kW of power at maximum revolutions. 4. At a good site a turbine will produce roughly the equivalent of 6 hours at maximum output per day (averaged over a year). For example, a 2 kW turbine will produce around 12 kW hours per day (average over time) of power per day which is enough to run an energy efficient household. 5. A 2 kW turbine with tower and inverter will probably cost about $11,000 to $15,000. For example, the V200 Energy Ball turbine will cost about $11,000 after Renewable Energy Cash Rebates. The Gross Feed In tariff system for wind and solar introduced in NSW makes the economics of installing a turbine more attractive (see economic analysis by Y.W.E.A.). The cost can be reduced considerable by making a tower and by buying a second hand turbine. Relatively cheap alternators that can be used with wind turbine rotors are made by "Ningbo Ginlong Technologies" and can be ordered from China. 6. A battery bank is required for a “stand alone” system but is not needed for a grid connect system due to improvements in inverters (SMA and Latronics make inverters suitable for wind turbines). 7. If you wish to set up a grid-connect system you will need an input-output meter at your power box. 8. Make inquiries to your local council about regulations concerning installation of wind turbines. |