Green Side Out - The green lifestyle

With rising energy costs and more environmental awareness, alternative energy sources are gaining in popularity. While solar energy is widely used, many people are considering a residential size wind turbine instead of (or in addition to) solar panels. You are most likely familiar with industrial wind farms, looking like rows of gigantic propellers towering overhead. This technology, in a simplified version, is available to homeowners as well.

Wind generated electricity is pollution free and while it won’t totally eliminate the need for power supplied by a utility, it can reduce the bill from around half to upwards of ninety percent. In some cases, a wind turbine can produce more energy than needed, which is then sold back to the utility company.

There are some daring do-it-yourselfers who can build a wind turbine from the ground up using salvaged parts of power tools, junked cars, their old stereo from college, and leftover PVC pipe from the last bathroom remodel. For those who don’t know the difference between a ratchet and a wrench, any size residential wind turbine can be purchased with professional installation included.

For those of us that fall somewhere in between master craftsman and totally clueless, a kit can be purchased with prices starting at a couple hundred dollars. Installation is pretty straightforward, and manufacturers provide knowledgeable customer service for any issues that might come up. There is no rewiring required to the house, and the utility company will connect the meter to the source. If you have average DIY skills, this is a project that will pay for itself over time and you can feel good about being environmentally conscious.

Before you get out your tool belt and hard hat, research the various models available and decide which size suits your needs. You may want to build a hybrid system that integrates a wind turbine with solar panels. There are many informative websites available to help you get the answers you need.

Next, check local zoning regulations and get a building permit if necessary. You will need to know if there are any height restrictions also, as most turbines need to be a minimum of thirty feet above any buildings. There are clearance requirements as well; the blades need to be able to turn freely and the whole mechanism rotates with the direction of the wind. It needs to be located away from buildings, trees and overhead wires. Something to keep in mind: more power requires a larger turbine, which in turn means it has to be mounted higher. A larger turbine also means a higher cost.

Talk to your neighbors about your plans and make sure they are agreeable. While a wind turbine doesn’t generate a significant amount of noise or interfere with television or satellite reception, it requires a significant height in order to work properly. That means your neighbors will very likely have a good view of it, whether they want to or not. Understanding that ahead of time will help you be a good neighbor and might even start a trend in your neighborhood.