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If you are like hundreds of the home owners that are fed up of getting battered by the high cost of energy and you would like to take control of your utility costs, you’ll be happy to discover there are other options. A lot of people are generating their own electricity at home with alternative energy sources like wind power and solar power.

Wind and solar power are ideal where there is no utility power available like the cottages or rural areas. Even if they are available, hooking up to your cottage or home can be very expensive.

Today there are lots of interest in using clean renewable energy like solar power and wind power to generate electricity, but which one is best for your need? The fact is that for most individuals a combination of both is likely to give them the biggest return for their money.  

Solar energy is a eminent way to apply sunlight from the sun. This is particularly true if you live in a very sunny area. Solar panels can be set up anywhere, in your backyard, on your roof, and you can even built and install them yourself.

To harness the power of the wind you will need a wind turbine to convert the wind power to electricity. Once more you will have the choice of constructing it or purchasing it. If you purchase a wind turbine it will cost you $600 and more. But if you constructed one yourself it will only cost approximately $200 or so and you can do this over the weekend with help from your family or friends. The difference is impressive and as is with so many things in life, you pay more for labor than for the actual parts to built it. The parts to construct a small home sized wind turbine will only cost a few hundred dollars and you get to brag about it around your neighborhood.

Altho a wind turbine can produce as much as 5 times the amount of electricity as one solar panel, using both sources of energy can be beneficial since the ideal weather condition may not come about at the same time. For instance, if it is cloudy it will most likely to be windy. And if there is no wind you might have sunshine. Applying both systems can give you the maximum potential for continual electricity generation.

Thence for the most benefit from alternative energy sources use wind power and solar power are ideal ways to generate electricity for the greatest paying back on your investment.

Note: some local government are not to pleased to have wind turbines being erected within townships and in many cases they are totally banned. So they are not entirely suited for suburban areas where neighborhoods may be disturbed, therefore solar power might be the better way to go.

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What is Wind Energy?

You may be surprised by the following fact: wind is a form of solar energy. It is produced by rotation of the earth, the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, and the irregularities of the earth’s surface.

Wind flow patterns are modified by vegetation, the earth’s terrain, and bodies of water. Human uses this wind flow, or motion energy for many purposes such as flying a kite, sailing and generating electricity.

The words wind energy  describes the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. A  turbine converts the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for many specific purposes (such as pumping water or grinding grain) or this mechanical power can be converted into electricity by a generator.

So how does a wind turbine generate electricity? It is the opposite of a fan. Instead of consuming electricity, it makes electricity. When wind blows the blades of the turbine, it turns the blades and spins a shaft which is connected to a generator thus making electricity.

Types of Wind Turbines

There are two main types of wind turbines: the vertical-axis turbine, and the horizontal-axis turbine. Horizontal-axis turbine is more practical and popular so we will only talk about it here. Horizontal-axis  turbines usually have two or three blades. These three-bladed  turbines are operated “upwind,” which means the blades are facing into the wind.

Utility-scale turbines range in size from 100 kilowatts to as large as several megawatts. Larger turbines are grouped together into wind farms, which provide bulk power to the electrical grid. Single small turbines that below 100 kilowatts are used for homes, water pumping or telecommunications dishes. Small turbines are sometimes used in connection with diesel generators, batteries, and photovoltaic systems. These systems are called hybrid wind systems and are typically used in remote, off-grid locations, where a connection to the utility grid is not available.

If you want to learn to make a wind generator.There are some diy guides that have step-by-step instructions on making wind generators and solar panels.

Click the link below to learn more if you are interested.

Homemade Wind Geneartor

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Green building is no longer just a fad; in fact, energy-efficient remodeling and renovating is one of the few aspects of the U.S. construction business that still holds a positive outlook in the midst of the economic turmoil in 2009.

The U.S. residential construction market was $363 billion in 2008, down 41% from its high of $620 billion in 2006. The home renovations market was $188 billion in 2008, down 18% percent from 2007. But SBI estimates that the home energy efficiency renovations market in the U.S. was $21 billion in 2008; down only 13% percent from 2007’s $24 billion.

Remodeling to improve a home’s energy efficiency instead of buying a new home has become a preferred option in today’s market. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders found that 32% of home builders also provided remodeling services in 2008. Homeowners are still seeing the benefits of improving their home’s energy efficiency even in the economic instability of 2009. With energy consciousness shooting to the forefront of the media during the 2008 oil price peak, the Propane Education & Research Council has found 80% of homeowners are now concerned about the energy efficiency of their homes.

Home builders and remodelers have been quick to provide remodeling services that are focused on energy conservation and green building practices; as an example, 85% of remodelers surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders in 2008 used energy-efficient windows on the majority of their projects. Retailers and manufacturers of building projects, residential builders and remodelers, and even state and federal organizations now have to be able to provide knowledgeable energy conservation expertise to succeed in their business.

Home energy efficiency analysis now uses a ‘whole building’ approach, affecting all categories of building materials, from windows and doors to insulation to completely eliminating air leaks. To fully embrace this view, this report looks at the impact energy-efficient building products are having on the renovations market in a number of categories:
•    The market for energy-efficient doors and windows, caulking and weather stripping, and insulation used in home renovation projects.
•    The energy-efficient appliance and lighting markets for home remodeling.
•    Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and the growing trend of energy-efficient roof renovations.

Report Methodology

Report data were obtained from government sources, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and ENERGY STAR; trade associations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI); research organizations such as the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS); websites of home improvement contractors, manufacturers and dealers, industry analysts and print and online business and trade journals.

Consumer demographics and spending trends derive from data compiled by Simmons Market Research Bureau, New York, NY. Trends and recent developments in the industry come directly from personal interviews with key players in manufacturing and sales of energy-efficient building products and discussions with knowledgeable insiders of associations such as the National Association of Home Builders.

What You’ll Get in This Report

Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market, Full Report provides a concise, focused look on the world of whole home energy-efficient renovations as it exists today, and shows where the market is moving towards in the next five years. The report highlights key players in the industry and pinpoints ways current and prospective competitors can capitalize on recent trends and spearhead new ones. No other market research report provides both the comprehensive analysis and extensive data that Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market, Full Report offers. Plus, you’ll benefit from extensive data, presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables and graphs.

How You’ll Benefit from this Report

If your company is already doing business in green home renovations or remodeling specializing in energy efficiency, or is considering making the leap, you will find this report invaluable as it provides a comprehensive package of information and insight not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current market for all aspects of energy-efficient renovations, as well as projected markets and trends through 2013.

This report will help:
•    Marketing managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for homeowners looking to renovate to reduce their utility costs.
•    Research and development professionals stay on top of competitor initiatives and explore demand for current energy efficiency remodeling trends and new emerging energy-efficient construction products.
•    Advertising agencies working with clients in the banking, retail and construction industries develop messages and images that compel homeowners to migrate towards energy-efficient products when considering home renovations.
•    Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships.

Information and research center librarians provide market researchers, brand and product managers and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.

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We have 2 Evergreen Solar panels 180 watts each, Tristar 60Amp Controller, 2, 400 watt Air-x wind generators, about 8 marine deep cycle batteries from walmart now. A 250A DC breakerbox from Midnight Solar, Xantrex DR-2412 2400Watt Inverter, and a Reliance transfer switch. So far the system has cost about $6000 with everything overbuilt to be upgradeable with more solar panels as soon as we get some more funding! More videos soon lots has changed since winter has set in.

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With the costs of fossil fuels continually on the rise and tensions in certain areas of the world, it makes perfect sense for you to consider alternative forms of energy. Renewable green energy is all around us for the taking.

There’s never been a better time to save money and help out the planet as there is right now.  One way that you can accomplish both is to cut down on the electricity you buy from your electric company, which you can do by producing your own electricity at home.

A wind turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. What most homeowners don’t know is that building your own wind turbine is something that’s fairly easy to accomplish with the right set of instructions. The parts you will need will usually only cost around a few hundred dollars and you can get them are your local home improvement store.

Before you run out and purchase a manual, though, you want to make sure that installing a turbine is the best option for your location.

The technology of wind turbines has advanced in recent years, but even a small turbine can take up a lot of room. They’re not perfect for every location and you may need a great deal of cooperation from your neighbors, who might consider your new renewable green energy device an eyesore.

Another factor to consider is how much wind you actually receive. Virtually every place on earth gets wind at some time or another, but you will need a brisk wind and you will need to get it often in order for a turbine to make sense for you.

You will need a location to mount your turbine.  They are now small enough so that you can put them right on your roof, but you need to make sure that you don’t have a lot of obstructions that will block the wind such as, tall buildings or trees.  If you don’t have an unobstructed area to mount your turbine, using wind as a source of energy may not be the best option for you.

You won’t need to make any changes inside your home to use the energy generated by your turbine. And of course one turbine won’t be enough to generate all the electricity the average household uses, but it can make a dent in your electrical bill and save you money every time the bill comes.

For many people a using the power of the wind is a great way to go, and you might be one of them.  If you build it yourself you can save thousands of dollars off the cost of purchase and installation. You can’t expect to get completely ‘off the grid’ with one turbine, but you can realistically expect to save quite a bit of money on your electric bill, and gain some cool bragging rights with your neighbors.

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Small home made windmill for charging a 12V battery using a ‘threadmill’ greenmaster DC motor. It contains 6 Hi_Iq blades of 29″. Total diameter 1.5 meters. Tower height 9 meters.

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7.30.08 hearing of the congressional Joint Economic Committee

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While the technology for using wind power has been with us for thousands of years, the use of this alternative power source for the generation of electricity has never really gone mainstream. Coal and natural gas-fired power plants are efficient and convenient, but they use fossil fuels, and these fuels are definitely finite resources. Wind power is as limitless as the sun and wind.

Wind Power is Coming Around.
Wind is not a common source of energy today but soaring coal, oil and natural gas costs and the negative eco-effects of these conventional fuels have ignited a new interest in alternative renewable energy sources. Along with solar power panels and collectors, windmills can now be seen blossoming in fields across the country and are proving to be a viable source of energy as long as there is a constant enough supply of quality wind.

Are Alternative Energy Sources Reliable?
A wind power generator, as the name implies, is technology that makes electrical energy from air currents. As people who live in windy areas of the U.S. know, wind energy is abundant – and free. But is it reliable enough to provide a constant source of electricity – similar to a modern fossil-fueled power plant? The simple answer – no. Harnessing wind energy can be a great addition to an alternative power generation plan (usually paired with solar), but you should always have an alternative (public utilities) as a back-up for those rare times when there is no wind or sun. Of course, before you consider installing a wind power generator, research is in order to determine if the location for the windmill will get enough wind to make the investment worthwhile.

Physics Is Your Friend.
A wind power generator operates by the theory of Conservation of Energy, or more specifically, kinetic energy. Kinetic energy of the wind or airflow impinges upon the rotor blades of the windmill, then is turned into mechanical energy as the generator is spun. This mechanical energy is converted into electrical power by the generator, to be used immediately, or stored in batteries or capacitors. In the early history of wind power, this rotational energy was used to grind grain and pump water.

Wind Power as a Supplement.
As was mentioned above, it may be totally impractical to live off-grid with alternative energy as the sole sources of power for your home, although there are those who do live completely off-grid. To live completely off-grid, you must be extremely efficient with energy use (and storage), and alway be aware of reserves and future needs. For most alternative energy users, wind power is used in conjunction with other sources of electrical power – solar and grid. During good times, many generate excess power and can sell this excess power back to their utility companies.

Location, Location, Location.
There are a few criteria for placing a windmill on your property. Ideally, your home will sit on a good-sized lot in a relatively roomy rural or near-rural development. The tower height that supports the generator can be critical, and research should be done to determine local building codes. Newer and better technology is coming on-line every day that permits installation of power-generating windmills in ever-smaller locations – always do your research and make sure you’re getting the system for your environment.

Technology Here Now.
Making electrical power from the wind is not a new science, rather it is an continually evolving technology based on actual needs. There’s plenty of information – books and other materials – available now on the topics of alternative power generation. Many new sources of do-it-yourself guides have sprung up lately, and some are of good quality.. With this in mind, always do your research carefully and completely before you commit to any particular system. Then, as you watch the blades of your own wind power generator spin, the satisfaction of knowing you did this yourself (with a little help) can be realized.

I’ve looked at some of the more popular plans on how to build your own windmill. What did I learn? Read this review and save yourself a lot of wasted time and money.

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Many people are beginning to appreciate the value of homebrew wind turbines. The biggest issue holding back the new popularity of this energy source is the fact that much of the population don’t realize how good the rate of return on this investment really is. They also don’t understand that you can build a diy wind turbine with a very small investment.

We all need to understand that these home made wind turbine plans as alternative power sources are very important. wind power can relieve the pressure on current energy supplies. It is also a non polluting clean source of energy.

If we hope to retain our natural resources and ensure that we will continue to have energy for the future. A relatively unused source is wind energy. When the wind is blowing we can have a steady flow of electrical energy.

When you build your own wind turbine you are your own energy source and in full control of costs. When you utilize a home made wind turbine plan you will grab wind energy and convert it into mechanical energy which can then be changed into electrical energy.

When you learn how to make your own wind turbineyou will help eliminate or at least reduces the need and dependence on our naturally occurring organic fuels and take us a step closer to relieving the pressure on our environment.

It is relatively inexpensive to have one of these homebrew wind turbines on your property and the cost of startup can be less than two hundred dollars. Small wind turbines for home use can supply electricity for lighting, refrigeration, TV and other household appliances.

Having your own micro wind turbines will allow you to drastically reduce the energy costs utilizing what can essentially be considered no cost electricity.

You will discover a horizontal axis turbine and a vertical axis turbine. The horizontal axis turbines are the more often used and you should think about using these when deciding how to make a wind turbine. The horizontal design places the blade and rotor at the top of a tower.

This design also allows the gearbox and generator to be placed on the ground, making access for servicing more user friendly. This design however may be less efficient because it generates more torque and drag.

You may be asking yourself what is a low cost wind turbine? You can get started under $200. Wind power is safe, clean and renewable. Constructing a homemade wind turbine is not only quite practical, but is also an environmentally friendly answer to suatain today’s energy demands.

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May 10, 2010 Science at the Theater: The house of the future Learn what it will take to create tomorrow’s net-zero energy home as scientists reveal the secrets of cool roofs, smart windows, and computer-driven energy control systems. The net-zero energy home Scientists are working to make tomorrow’s homes more than just energy efficient — they want them to be zero energy. Iain Walker, a scientist in the Lab’s Energy Performance of Buildings Group, will discuss what it takes to develop net-zero energy houses that generate as much energy as they use through highly aggressive energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy generation. Talking back to the grid Imagine programming your house to use less energy if the electricity grid is full or price are high. Mary Ann Piette, deputy director of Berkeley Lab’s building technology department and director of the Lab’s Demand Response Research Center, will discuss how new technologies are enabling buildings to listen to the grid and automatically change their thermostat settings or lighting loads, among other demands, in response to fluctuating electricity prices. The networked (and energy efficient) house In the future, your home’s lights, climate control devices, computers, windows, and appliances could be controlled via a sophisticated digital network. If it’s plugged in, it’ll be connected. Bruce Nordman, an energy scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Energy End-Use Forecasting group, will discuss how he and other scientists are …

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