How do Micro Wind Turbines generate Micro Wind Power

Wind Energy Technologies:   Windmills & Energy    Wind Turbines    Wind Power for Homes    Solar & Wind    DIY Wind Power

You are here: > Wind Energy Information > Wind Turbines > Micro Wind Turbines

Is it worth investing in micro wind turbines?

Wind turbine technology has gone through a long process of innovation over the years and this has resulted in some of the most efficient and reliable wind turbines ever built. These new versions of wind turbines can be used by local utility companies to generate large amounts of power as part of a wind farm, and there are even versions of these wind turbines that can be used in residential setting by the average homeowner. One of the most interesting developments in this modern trend for wind power systems are the micro wind turbines that have been released in the last few years.

These micro wind power systems have been specifically designed to work well in a challenging residential environment and if there is adequate wind they can provide all of the power needs for a building. These micro wind turbines have been engineered to be much more efficient at lower wind speeds that are typically found in a residential setting. Older version of residential wind turbines required a large tower for mounting them high enough up in the air to catch an adequate breeze for rotation. In contrast to this older design, these newer micro wind power systems are built to easily mount to a homes roof and will typically convert more of the wind at a location to useable power than older systems.

Most of these micro wind power systems are sold as a complete unit, but you can also make your own wind turbine as well and there are micro wind turbine kits available to help you. Building a micro wind power system from a kit can save you some money and is an easy project to build and can also be a lot of fun to complete.

Make your own wind turbine or buy a micro wind turbine kit?

The majority of micro wind power systems is based on a standard horizontal axis wind turbine design that has been modified for urban environments. These smaller turbines have blades and bodies that are made from advanced lightweight materials that make them easier to mount. They also have specially designed rotor housings that can fold flat in a particularly aggressive wind and protect the blades and rotor from damage.

In addition to the horizontal designs, there have been several vertical axis wind turbine designs released that provide a good amount of power. These vertical axis designs have the advantage of never needing to orient themselves into the wind to spin. Because they can catch a wind arriving from any direction they will spin for more of the day and generate a higher consistent current output as a result. Even though the horizontal designs are typically more powerful, the vertical axis wind turbines are catching up fast. These vertical designs also tend to be less obvious when mounted on your home and are less objectionable visually to many neighbors.

These micro wind turbines are also built to be less expensive and offer a very attractive alternative to buying power from your local utility. In most cases these micro wind power systems will provide all of the power your home needs from the wind.