Just wondering if anyone is using wind for power generation, or know of anyone using wind for power generation.

Do you like it? What brand system are you using?

-- Rick#7 (rick7@postmark.net), December 27, 2001

Answers

I have two wind electric generators up. A Bergey and a Whisper. Do I like them??....You better betcha!!. A hybrid system [wind/PV] is the only way to go!!....Very often if the sun isn't shineing the wind is a blowin'....and December-the cloudy month -my genny's have been crankin' out a whole lot of power....and yes my system power's the whole house including the 220vac well pump. Also my system is grid intertied, so that excess power may be fed back into the grid....

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), December 27, 2001.

We sure could use one where we are...the wind is really, really blowing !! How much was the orginial cost to set this up and what problems have you hd ?? I truly wish many years ago we had done something like this....22 years later still paying the electric company. Happy New Year !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), December 28, 2001.

Thanks for the info Jim-mi,

Where are you? I may want to do something like you've done.

-- Rick#7 (rick7@postmark.net), December 28, 2001.

We have an Air 403. We are also installing 4 105 watt solar panels next week. :-) We plan to get the new 1000 watt wind generator next. We can only do one step at a time because of $$ ya know.

I love that wind genny!!!! It screams like a banshee (not really but sort of) and that sound is the sound of power being made! Love it love it! If you have *close* neighbors you may want to find out if that sound will bother them. The problem most people have with some wind generators is the noise. I personally *love* that noise! :-)

We are totally off-grid. Well, we have a phone line and a satellite dish LOL! We have 16 acres and have never had the utility power run out here and don't want to either.

I usually lurk and don't post but wind power is one of my favorite things so I had to jump in.

Up here (central NY state) the best combo is wind/solar for us. We get lots of wind up here on the *plateau* and we are getting the super-efficient new panels that use more of the *hazy* light for power.

Anyway, if you have the space and are so inclined (and have the money) go for it!

Being off-grid isn't cheap to set up, but NO monthly bills from the evil utility is just wonderful....

-- Bobbi (moonstruck@usadatanet.net), December 28, 2001.

I'm in northern lower Mich. A *plateau* area above lake Mich. Helena thats a really loaded question [how much]??....Like Bobbie said it can be a whole lot UP front to put in a *what size* system!! How big the battery bank? what size inverter? how many PV pannels? What size wind genny? How tall a tower do you need to get 30' above the trees?...Daunting...maybe..but those who put in a properly designed system are smileing .....not to have to rely on the >grid<

First step; what are your load requirements? -2. conservation at your home -3. find some one to design/install for your site specific requirements. [ I do that]. Think ahead and don't short your self by cutting too many corners.

Check a wind map to see what wind power class you are in; www.mrsolar.com/faq/largemap.htm

My system has evolved over time-I started with an Air 303,-I called it "my back yard Cesna" because of the noise it made! The Bergey & Whisper are very quiet.....Any way between the PV & wind etc. I've well over 15k into my system.

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), December 28, 2001.