From The Workbench - Alternative + Renewable Energy Blog Valuable information for do-it-yourselfers interested in the latest in alternative + renewable energy

Ahh, the finale of our grand Wind Energy Buyer’s Guide.  Northern Tool put together a completely rad guide to just why you should do all you can to make wind energy a staple in Your life.  I don’t know about you, but I’m completely, 100% sold.  Now, to get my hands on some wind energy products!

That said, just as we did with the Solar Energy Buyer’s Guide, you know just about everything you need to know about Wind Energy, except for what you’re actually going to need to run your home with wind power.  That’s right, you’ve covered the when, the how, the why, and now, finally, we’ll get to the What.

So, without further ado, to let you get started, here is what you will need to start powering YOUR home:

What will I need to generate my own wind power system?

Whether you’re installing a stand-alone system or a hybrid system for your home, or connecting a system to a grid (an electricity transmission and distribution system) you will need quality equipment.

* Wind turbine—The wind turbine is the core of your system. Your energy needs will determine the annual energy output you’ll require and the size of your turbine. Using this information, wind turbine manufacturers and retailers can help you decide which wind turbine is for you, while also factoring in local wind speeds and your specific energy budget.
* Tower—Though you can choose either a self-supporting (free standing) or guyed tower for mounting your wind turbine, most home wind power systems use the second option. Guyed towers can be hinged at the base, making it easier to lower to the ground for repairs and maintenance, or to avoid damage during hazardous weather. Towers should be installed high enough so that the bottom of the rotor blade is at least 30 feet (9 meters) above any obstacle that is within 300 feet (90 meters) of the tower.
* Batteries—For a stand-alone system, you will need batteries to store excess power for use when the wind is calm. Deep-cycle batteries are preferable, because they can discharge and recharge many times.
* Controller—A charge controller will prevent batteries from overcharging, thus extending battery life and performance.
* Power Inverter—The power inverter converts the low voltage DC to the 120 volts AC. For a stand-alone system, unless you plan on using battery power exclusively, you’ll need a power inverter. If your system is grid connected, this is the only additional equipment you’ll need.
* Hybrid System—If you live in an area where wind speeds are low, a hybrid system (combining wind power with solar power or fuel generators) may prove most effective. In this case, you’ll need to add a generator and controllers that can automatically operate the system.

So there you have it!  Now all that is left, is to head over and stock up from Northern Tool on all your wind energy needs.  They have what you need, so lets go!