Читать книгу The Self-Sufficiency Handbook - Alan Bridgewater - Страница 65

• How many blades does a wind turbine have? Machines typically have two, three, or five blades, but you can’t choose based on the number of blades. There are so many designs that it’s best for you to do your research and choose what you consider to be a proven machine.

• How much power can a wind turbine produce? Here, too, there are many options. For example, a 600W machine will provide enough electricity to power lighting circuits in a three-bedroom house, while a 2,500W machine will provide enough electricity to power lighting circuits and most appliances in a three-bedroom house.

• How long does a wind turbine last? Much depends upon the machine. One manufacturer claims that its machines have a product life of twenty years.

• How high does the mast have to be? Heights range from 18 feet (5.5 m) for small machines, up to 50 feet (15 m) for large ones.

• Can I mount a wind turbine on my roof? Although the industry pushed for years for bigger hub diameters and increasingly taller masts (based on the research that equates these figures with more power output), there is now a push toward having a lot of small machines rather than one big one. The idea is that every house could have one or more small rooftop machines. That said, there is an anti-rooftop lobby that claims that vibration is always going to be an issue with rooftop designs.

• Can I build my own wind turbine? DIY is a good option if you are an all-around skilled mechanic with a working knowledge of electricity.

• Which is best—a stand-alone or a grid-tie-in machine? It depends on your location. A small machine with batteries might be the only answer for an isolated rural location.

• Are there any grants available? This depends on the country in which you live. There are some grants available in the United States and Australia as well as in Scotland but not too many grants in England and Wales. However, the overall availability of grants is increasing, so research your specific state/province/region.

• What planning issues might I encounter? You will likely have more leeway regarding the size of your wind turbine if you live in a rural area than in a town but, either way, contact the local authorities to obtain the necessary permission and permits.