Do You Want To Build Your Own Windmill?
With stock windmills costing between $15,000 and $25,000, even for a domestic unit, it is interesting to consider how to build a windmill for oneself. In fact it is very easy and straightforward, and there are plenty of people who claim to have done it for under $200. This will not be as big or grand as the shop-bought variety, but the potential savings on your electricity bills will still be very significant.
So what steps do you have to take to build your own windmill? Before setting out on this project, you should consider a few things first:
- Local average wind speed. In spite of what others might say, windmills do not operate very well in average winds of less than 10 mph. The US Department of Energy publishes detailed wind resource maps, which are worth checking before fitting a windmill.
- Building Codes. Check these to see if windmills are permitted in your area. For a small windmill you probably will be OK, but it's best to make sure.
- Area of windmill site. For a small windmill you should allow about half an acre.
- Neighbors. It is sensible to include your neighbors in your plans, and overcome their objections to potential noise, interference with TV reception and similar concerns.
- Windmill capacity. No point in making a huge windmill that will generate more electricity than you need. The utility company does not have to buy any surplus from you, only offset against your grid consumption.
- Batteries. If you intend to live off-grid you will need to have batteries for electricity storage. These are available for free if you know the secret source!. Or simply use your windmill to reduce your grid consumption.
These are some of the reasons why it is often best to seek advice from windmill experts when planning to build your own windmill. You will then be able to select the right plans for your circumstances, and make sure these include full lists of materials needed for the assembly as well as clear-step-by-step instructions.
Small windmills have only a few components. Typically these are:
- A propeller (usually 3 propeller blades fixed to a hub)
- A DC motor
- A tail fin
- An axle to which these are fitted
- A tower
- Probably an inverter (to convert DC to AC)
- Batteries
With some electrical cable and a collection of nuts and bolts, that's all you need. You probably have most of the necessary parts in your shed but, even if you have to buy them, $200 should get you all that is required. It is quite feasible to assemble and fit a small windmill in a weekend.
Details about how to make a windmill are available from a number of sources, and you can get a set of good-quality plans for very little money. Please visit our specialized website if you would like further information.
So what steps do you have to take to build your own windmill? Before setting out on this project, you should consider a few things first:
- Local average wind speed. In spite of what others might say, windmills do not operate very well in average winds of less than 10 mph. The US Department of Energy publishes detailed wind resource maps, which are worth checking before fitting a windmill.
- Building Codes. Check these to see if windmills are permitted in your area. For a small windmill you probably will be OK, but it's best to make sure.
- Area of windmill site. For a small windmill you should allow about half an acre.
- Neighbors. It is sensible to include your neighbors in your plans, and overcome their objections to potential noise, interference with TV reception and similar concerns.
- Windmill capacity. No point in making a huge windmill that will generate more electricity than you need. The utility company does not have to buy any surplus from you, only offset against your grid consumption.
- Batteries. If you intend to live off-grid you will need to have batteries for electricity storage. These are available for free if you know the secret source!. Or simply use your windmill to reduce your grid consumption.
These are some of the reasons why it is often best to seek advice from windmill experts when planning to build your own windmill. You will then be able to select the right plans for your circumstances, and make sure these include full lists of materials needed for the assembly as well as clear-step-by-step instructions.
Small windmills have only a few components. Typically these are:
- A propeller (usually 3 propeller blades fixed to a hub)
- A DC motor
- A tail fin
- An axle to which these are fitted
- A tower
- Probably an inverter (to convert DC to AC)
- Batteries
With some electrical cable and a collection of nuts and bolts, that's all you need. You probably have most of the necessary parts in your shed but, even if you have to buy them, $200 should get you all that is required. It is quite feasible to assemble and fit a small windmill in a weekend.
Details about how to make a windmill are available from a number of sources, and you can get a set of good-quality plans for very little money. Please visit our specialized website if you would like further information.
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