How To Build A Wind Turbine

With commercial wind turbines costing between $15,000 and $25,000, even for a domestic unit, it is interesting to consider how to build a wind turbine for yourself and to work out how much effort will be involved.

The good news is that it is really very easy to do, with some people claiming to build a diy wind turbine for as little as $200. There isn’t any bad news!

The turbine that you build yourself will not be as big or grand as a commercial unit, but the potential savings are pretty significant.

Before setting out on this project, however, you need to consider:

  • Local wind speeds
  • Local codes and building regulations
  • Available space
  • Neighbors
  • Size
  • Storage

These and other considerations make it sensible to get some guidance and advice from experts in generator design and construction in the early stages of planning the wind turbine diy project, as we explain below. You will then be able to select the right plans for your circumstances, which should include a complete materials list, sources of materials and clear, step-by-step instructions. You really don’t want to be doing the project twice ….

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So, what does it take to make a diy wind turbine ?

Let’s look in more detail at the various things you need to consider when planning your diy wind turbine:

  • Local wind speeds. Whatever others might tell you, wind turbines do not work very well in average winds of less than 10 mph. The US Department of Energy publishes detailed wind resource maps, which you should consult at the outset, to make sure you will have enough wind on an average day to make the project worthwhile.
  • Local codes and building regulations. Find out if you will be allowed to build the type of generator you want. Small wind turbines will probably be OK, but it’s best to make sure.
  • Available space. For homemade wind turbines you should allow about half an acre. This is mainly to avoid any problems with neighbors.
  • Neighbors. Worth consulting them first about your ideas for building a wind turbine, and be prepared to overcome any prejudices about noise (there isn’t any of any significance), TV interference (there isn’t any) and so on.
  • Size. No point in making a huge do it yourself wind turbine that will generate more electricity than you need. The utility company does not have to buy any surplus from you, only offset against any power you draw from the grid (although this is beginning to change in some countries, in favor of a fixed tariff for all electricity supplied to the grid).
  • Storage. If you want some independence from the grid you will need to include storage batteries. It is possible to get these for nothing if you know where to look. Or you might decide to build a wind turbine simply as a way of reducing your draw on the grid supply.

 

how to build a wind turbine

Diy wind turbines are very straightforward, and comprise only a few components – a DC motor, a mounting shaft, a propeller (actually 3 propeller blades fixed to a hub), a tail fin, a mounting pole, probably an inverter (to convert DC to AC) and possibly batteries. Add some wiring and a few nuts and bolts and you’re there.

You probably have most of the necessary parts in your shed but, even if you have to buy them, you should be able to assemble everything you need for less than $200. Putting them together and installing the homemade wind turbine on your site can be done in a weekend.

There are some very good build-your-own-turbine guides on the internet, and we have examined most of them for clarity, practicality, safety and value for money. Most guides combine plans and instructions for both solar panels and wind turbines, and our review of the best solar panel and wind turbine guides gives a good overview of these. However, for specific wind turbine plans and instructions the best value, in our opinion, and strongly recommended, is the Windplans instruction kit.

This kit gives you clear, step-by-step instructions, blueprints and diagrams so that you literally can’t go wrong, even if you are a complete beginner in projects of this sort. It also includes clear advice on the various factors we have outlined above when planning to make a home wind turbine.

Best of all, it comes with a full, no hassle, guarantee which ensures that you will get all your money back if you decide you do not want the kit after you have ahd a chance to examine it for yourself.  Risk free, in other words.

We hope you will decide to take this sensible step to save  a huge chunk of your utility bills.  Good luck, enjoy the project and bask in the satisfaction that free energy brings you!

 

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