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Wind Power Economics - Is a Wind Turbine Practical For Your Site?Let's look at wind power economics. Is a wind turbine economical for your site? You will need to look at the resources you have. To get a general idea if your region has good wind resources, look at the DOE Wind Energy Atlas The maps will show you if wind speeds in your area are strong enough to further investigate the wind resource. Of course, the maps are just a starting point-- the actual wind resource on your site will vary depending on topography and structure interference. And a localized site with good winds, such as a ridgetop, may not show up on the maps. Another source for wind data is the
National Climate Data Center,
which collects data for selected sites and makes area wind data summaries available for purchase.
You will need site-specific data to determine the wind power economics and resources at your exact location. If you do not have on-site data and want to obtain a clearer, more predictable picture of your wind resource, you may wish to measure wind speeds at your location for a year. You can do this with a recording anemometer, which generally costs $500 to $1500. The most accurate reading are taken at "hub height" (i.e., the elevation at the top of the wind turbine tower). This requires placing the anemometer high enough to avoid turbulence created by trees, buildings, and other obstructions. The standard wind sensor height used to obtain data for the DOE maps is 10 meters (33 feet). You can have varied wind resources within the same property. If you live in complex terrain, take care in selecting the installation site. If you site your wind turbine on the top or on the windy side of a hill, for example, you will have more access to prevailing wind than in a gully or on the leeward (sheltered) side of a hill on the same property. Consider existing obstacles and plan for future obstructions, including trees and building, which could block the wind. Also realize the power in the wind is proportional to its speed (velocity) cubed (v³). This means that the amount of power you get from your generator goes quadruples when the wind speed double. To learn more about wind turbines and the cost of wind generation systems, click here. For more information on wind power and wind power economics, click here. Invitation to ContributeIf you have any any stories or experience related to wind turbines or windmills and you would like to contribute your information as an article on our site, please visit our Share Your Experience Page!Learn MoreResidential Wind Power - Is it Right For You? Wind Energy Advantages Wind Energy Disadvantages History of Wind Turbines Wind Energy Economics
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