• Wind generators for the home: types, approximate prices, DIY production. Wind power plants for home: advantages and disadvantages. Wind power plant: price

    Minerals extracted from the depths of the earth and used by humanity as energy resources, unfortunately, are not unlimited. Every year their value increases, which is explained by a decrease in production levels. An alternative and growing energy supply option is wind power plants for the home. They allow you to convert wind energy into alternating current, which makes it possible to provide all the electricity needs of any household appliances. The main advantage of such generators is their absolute environmental friendliness, as well as free use electricity for an unlimited number of years. What other advantages does a wind generator have for the home, as well as the features of its operation, will be discussed further.

    Even ancient people noticed that the wind can be an excellent assistant in carrying out many works. Windmills, which made it possible to turn grain into flour without spending own strength, became the founders of the first wind generators.

    Wind power plants consist of a number of generators capable of receiving, converting and storing wind energy into alternating current. They can easily provide an entire house with electricity that comes out of nowhere.

    However, it must be said that equipment costs and their maintenance are not always cheaper than the cost of central power grids.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    So, before you join the proponents of free energy, you need to realize that wind power plants have not only advantages, but also certain disadvantages. On the positive side The use of wind energy in everyday life can be distinguished as follows:

    • the method is absolutely environmentally friendly and does not harm the environment;
    • simplicity of design;
    • ease of use;
    • independence from power grids.

    Home mini-generators can either partially provide electricity or become a full-fledged substitute for it, transforming into power plants.

    However, we must not forget about flaws, which are:

    • high cost of equipment;
    • payback occurs no earlier than after 5-6 years of use;
    • relatively small efficiency factors, causing power to suffer;
    • requires expensive equipment: a battery and a generator, without which the station cannot operate on windless days.

    In order not to waste a lot of money, before purchasing all the necessary equipment, you should evaluate the profitability of the power plant. To do this, calculate average power at home (this includes the power of all electrical appliances used), the number of windy days per year, and also evaluate the area where the wind turbines will be located.

    Main structural elements

    The ease of construction of the power plant is explained by the primitiveness of the structural elements.

    To use wind energy, you will need these details:

    • wind blades – capture the wind flow, transmitting impulse to the wind generator;
    • wind generator and controller – contribute to the conversion of the impulse into direct current;
    • battery – stores energy;
    • inverter - helps convert direct current into alternating current.

    Humanity has been familiar with the use of wind energy since time immemorial. Once upon a time, an unknown inventor attached a sail to an unsightly floating craft, and with its help, centuries later, the entire Earth was explored by inquisitive sailors. Even today, windmills serve people well in many countries.

    But today, using wind means, first of all, generating electricity. Let's try to figure out how simple, cheap and convenient it is. For those who want to immediately hear the result, the conclusion: wind electricity will never become cheaper than energy obtained from other sources: thermal, nuclear or hydroelectric power plants.

    Therefore, working on wind power plants for home makes sense only for those who are itching to adapt a ready-made generator that they got “by chance,” or for clean energy enthusiasts who fanatically want to save the planet from environmental disaster. You simply cannot think of any other reasons to use wind energy when power is supplied from external electrical networks.

    First, a little information about the possibilities of using wind energy. When the turbine blades are exposed to wind, the energy extraction efficiency (efficiency) cannot exceed 59%. A number of scientists (Lanchester, Betz, Zhukovsky) obtained this value in their works back in 1920. Since then it has been known as the “Betz limit.”

    Does it make sense to calculate efficiency? wind generator, if it is driven by a free source of unlimited power? Of course there is! Knowing the conversion efficiency, we can estimate required power power plant, and then how much weight your wallet will lose after purchasing it.

    The maximum power that can be “taken away” from the wind is equal to the area on which it acts (the propeller fan area), multiplied by the wind speed cubed and by the efficiency mentioned above, equal to 0.6. Expressing all the quantities in the SI system, we find that 1 m2 of turbine at a wind speed of 2 m/sec takes as much power as ... 4.8 W. At a wind speed of 8 m/sec (the nominal speed of most wind generators), the extraction per unit area will increase to 307 W.

    Now food for thought: the real efficiency for home installations should be no more than 0.3. Opening hours wind power plants with optimal wind speed ranging from 10 to 15% per year in the climatic conditions of the CIS countries.

    Therefore, the power of the wind power plant obtained from the formula must be increased by another 4-5 times. In practice, it is recommended to install a wind power plant, focusing not so much on technical indicators, but on financial capabilities, according to the principle: “The more, the better.” You must immediately give up your dream of installing a powerful and, at the same time, compact installation. One contradicts the other in principle.

    The design of a wind power plant, in general, consists of a generator, a rectifier, a battery and an inverter for converting the voltage to the usual value of 220V. All blocks and elements of the power plant are monitored and controlled by a microprocessor controller or simpler logic circuits.

    Studying technical characteristics of wind power plants, preference should be given to those in which the speed at which the rotor began to move, the initial speed of charging the batteries and the speed at which they reach operating mode are minimal. The wider the range of operating wind speeds, the greater the likelihood of obtaining energy. Cost in this case plays a secondary role: why buy a cheaper installation if it will work in your region for several days a year?

    Now it’s time to ask the price of products from companies offering ready-made equipment sets. We won’t talk about homemade wind power plants here at all. Even the best industrial samples have an efficiency of no more than 30%, and homemade designs from auxiliary materials they will only be able to produce noise.

    The whole variety of designs of wind generators can be reduced to two large groups: with a horizontal generator rotor and generators with a rotor vertical type.

    Horizontal vane-type generators have higher efficiency and lower material consumption. But they require the use of masts of greater height, have complex mechanical parts and are inconvenient to maintain. Vertical type stations are less economical, they have a higher material consumption, but they operate in a wider range of wind speeds and are more compact.

    Let's look at one sample of the most interesting representatives of wind power plants in each group. Of the greatest interest among power plants with a horizontal rotor arrangement is gearless loop generator "Windtronics".

    In it, aerodynamic drag is reduced due to the special design of the turbine, in which strong permanent magnets are attached to the ends of the blades, and 68 stator coils are mounted along the rim. With this solution, the rotor is also a generator of electrical energy. Special flaps on the blades allow the turbine to start moving at a wind speed of 0.2 m/sec. Today this value is a record for generators.

    At a speed of 0.9 m/sec. the turbine begins to generate electricity. Other types of generators cannot even move at these wind speeds. The weight of the product is about 110 kg, the diameter is 1.8 meters, the noise level is no more than 35 dB.

    Thanks to its rigid design, the turbine can withstand wind speeds of up to 62.6 seconds. Annual productivity from 1500 to 2750 kW/h of electricity. The American company “Honeywell Wind Turbine” comes complete with the turbine with all the necessary electronics, designed to connect 2 generators or solar additional panel. The serious and only drawback of the wind power plant is its price - $5,750 with a rated generator power of only 1.5 kW.

    A promising representative of power plants with a vertical type generator can be considered "Eddy" turbines from Urban Green Energy. The generators are very compact, almost silent and can be installed even in urban environments. With a generator weight of 95 kg, it occupies an area of ​​slightly more than 2.5 m2.

    The turbine can be installed in an hour, and it lasts up to 20 years. The generator can withstand wind loads of up to 193 km/h and produces, depending on the modification, from 2000 to 4000 kW/h of energy per year. The main disadvantage is the high initial wind speed for the turbine - 3.2 m/sec. There is no information about the cost of the generator yet.

    Wind generator "Eddy"

    The original shape of the turbine, reminiscent of rose petals, gave the architects the idea of ​​creating a power plant in the form of a tree, with 3 to 12 turbines mounted on its branches. The project was called "Power Flowers" - "flower tree" and attracted wide public attention, creating good advertising for Eddy generators and the UGE company.

    Wind farm "Power Flowers" with generators "Eddy"

    We can talk about various designs and models of power plants for a very long time, but they have one thing in common: a very high price. From an analysis of companies' proposals, one can derive a certain unit cost of 1 kW of equipment power. It costs approximately $2,000 without installation work. By adding about $500 more for installation and setup, we will get the average cost of equipment that will produce 2000-3000 kWh of electrical energy per year.

    According to experts, electricity obtained from environmentally friendly sources is 3-4 times more expensive than conventional energy. When using low-power wind power plants, the cost of energy can be an order of magnitude (10 times) higher than that obtained from traditional sources. This is due to large one-time costs for equipment and work on installation, commissioning and maintenance of wind power plants.

    In order to hide this fact, they often use the assertion that with rising energy prices, environmentally friendly sources will become profitable. This ignores the consideration that as energy prices rise, the cost of equipment that has significant material consumption will also rise. And there are no prospects for reducing such a “fork” even in the distant future.

    If you have an irresistible desire to install a wind power plant, then you first need to get acquainted with the archive of weather reports for the last few years in your region. Such information is now available on the Internet and will immediately clarify the real possibilities for using wind energy.

    In search of alternative energy sources, humanity has stepped far forward. For example, the power of the sun is increasingly being used and wind power plants are being created. Probably, it is the wind that can be considered as the best way generating electrical energy is efficient and at the same time quite economical.

    Wind, wind, you are mighty

    A wind power plant is a group of special generators that are combined into a system and use wind power to create energy. The peculiarity of such generators is their safety for the environment. Today, the largest number of wind farms have been built in Germany and Denmark, while in such countries not only are energy costs lower, they also export installations and technologies to other countries. Wind power plants operate on the following principle: under the influence of the wind, the blades of the structure rotate, and thanks to the gearbox, an electric generator is driven. The resulting energy is transported through the cable.

    As a rule, the masts in installations are of sufficient height, and therefore use the power of nature to the maximum. When drawing up a project for such a structure, the area is first carefully examined, and its direction is also studied using a number of instruments. Based on the data, it is decided whether the installed wind power plant will pay for itself.

    The main thing is the right choice

    Today, customers are offered a variety of wind power plants for their homes. They should be selected depending on the customer’s needs. For example, if you need to ensure the operation of equipment in agriculture, then the power required is small. But to solve more serious problems, for example, electrifying buildings and structures or installing a heating system in a house, more powerful wind generators are needed. Only specialists should be involved in site preparation and installation work itself.

    Before buying a wind generator, you need to take into account a number of nuances, including load at peak times, average energy consumption, and wind speed. It is also worth remembering that the higher the mast, the stronger and more powerful the wind will spin the turbine blades. True, installation of such structures is expensive. The optimal location is 10 meters above a building or tree located within a radius of approximately 100 meters.

    Pros

    Wind power plants are quite in demand today, due to a number of reasons.

    • Firstly, it is more profitable when compared with other energy sources.
    • Secondly, the reserves of wind power are inexhaustible.
    • Thirdly, such mills have a simple design, so their installation is quite quick. The main thing is to conduct research on the object on which they will be located.
    • Fourthly, producing electricity in this way is much cheaper, and it allows you to save mineral resources.
    • Fifth, windmills provide electricity consistently and reliably.
    • Sixthly, such devices are absolutely safe for the environment, which is also very important.

    Cons

    On the other hand, like any other source of energy, wind power plants (photos show how simple their designs are) also have disadvantages.

    • Firstly, the wind is not constant, that is, it blows differently - sometimes strongly, sometimes weakly. Accordingly, it is not possible to install them everywhere.
    • Secondly, wind structures are quite noisy, which means they need to be located away from residential buildings.
    • Thirdly, such mills can interfere with radio and television devices. True, in Europe they have come to terms with this shortcoming, and today there are already more than 26,000 wind power plants operating here.
    • Another disadvantage is that such installations can harm flying birds, so they need to be erected where there are no places for their migration and nesting.

    What to buy?

    Modern wind power plants for home are presented in a wide range. They differ in performance and are designed for different wind strengths and speeds. For example, an installation with a power of 400-6400 W is quite enough to provide energy to small farms, shops, and restaurants that are located far from the main energy sources. If you need to provide electricity to several houses or a small village, then you need stations of higher power, on average 18,000-26,500 W. It is advisable to install the same installations next to large industries and commercial facilities. For the simplest wind power plants for home, the price starts from 700,000 rubles; more expensive installations cost about three million rubles.

    Alternative views

    As we have already said, a windmill is a fairly noisy installation, but generators are now offered that do not operate as powerfully. For example, a silent wind generator is perfect solution for small and medium-sized objects, farms, shops, if they are located in remote areas. Today, vertical installations are very popular due to their efficiency and ease of installation. The advantages of such a system are as follows:

    • quiet operation without vibrations;
    • resistance to strong winds;
    • protection of the case with aluminum coating from lightning;
    • the direction of the wind doesn't matter.

    Silent home wind power plants are easy to maintain and install, since there are no small parts. It is also important that no harm will be caused to the birds, since the design of the installations is such that the landscape will not be disturbed. Another interesting option- sail generator. Of course it's no different attractive design, but can generate energy even in light winds. The good thing about such wind power plants is that, thanks to the sail, they quickly adapt to the movement of natural forces, which means that energy production is stable. The structures are absolutely environmentally friendly, have a low cost, operate without noise and vibration, and this means that they have a future.

    What are the prospects?

    In general, the environmental situation in the world is such that natural resources are gradually being depleted, and soon such a solution as windmills will become the most real reality all over the world. It is no coincidence that residents of many countries are gradually coming to install similar structures on their site. In Russia, according to experts, there are enough potential opportunities for wind energy to actively develop. However, so far this process is proceeding at a slow pace due to the lack of sufficient funding. If the situation changes and the state pays enough attention to this method of generating energy, our country will soon switch to alternative solutions. Today, wind power plants in Russia are represented in the republics of Kalmykia and Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Komi, in the Kaliningrad, Saratov, Orenburg, Rostov, Murmansk, Astrakhan regions, as well as in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. However, experts say that the geography of wind turbines will soon become much wider.

    How to make a wind power plant?

    The desire to save on energy costs and bring something new leads to the fact that craftsmen begin to make windmills with their own hands. In the very in simple form it consists of two halves of a cylinder, which are moved apart from the central axis. If you increase the number of blades in the design to four, the power and traction characteristics of the device will become much higher. A do-it-yourself wind power plant is made using the materials and components described below.

    1. To create a drum we need plywood and roofing iron (or sheet plastic suitable size). The rotor should be light, so you should not use materials that are too thick.
    2. For the “cheeks” of the drum we will need wood and plastic (or light metal), and the joints should be treated with oil paint.
    3. To make crosses you will need steel strips or wood.
    4. We will make the axis from a steel pipe, the diameter of which is 30 mm and the length is 2 m.
    5. For the axle we also need ball bearings of the same size.

    Installation stages

    So, a homemade wind power plant is made like this. First, we weld the rotor crosspieces to the axle (if wood is used, it must be glued or mounted using pins). The blades are connected by bolts, and it is important that the distance from them to the axis is the same. After assembling the drum, the joints must be treated with thick oil paint. Now we create a frame: for this we need metal ones or on which we then mount ball bearings. Distortion should be avoided as the rotor will rotate slowly. Now we paint the wind station again, and attach pulleys of different diameters to the lower end of the axle. We throw the belt over the pulley and connect it to a current generator, for example, a car one. Such a wind power plant is designed for a wind speed of approximately 9-10 m/s and produces a power of 800 W.

    Windmill for home

    To meet household electrical energy needs as fully as possible, the power of a windmill for an average family of four must be at least 10 kW. In such situations, it is advisable to install an entire system, which includes several wind turbines that produce a small amount of power. The energy in them is accumulated at common battery, and, if necessary, you can install additional generators, as well as increase the number and capacity of batteries.

    To ensure that the facility’s energy supply is stable and does not depend on external reasons, experts recommend creating an autonomous energy complex. It will include a wind power plant, as well as backup power sources in the form of diesel and gasoline generators, and also solar panels. If the wind strength is sufficient and energy is generated in the required quantity, then the diesel installation can be turned off. If suddenly the power produced by the windmill is not enough, a backup power supply will automatically start.

    How to achieve efficiency?

    In order for the installed wind station to be installed correctly and produce the desired results, several conditions must be met.

    1. The wind in the area should be stable almost throughout the year.
    2. There must be enough space on site to install a wind turbine.
    3. Find out if local authorities allow such installations.

    In addition, it is advisable to use such systems if you spend too much money on electricity, and there is simply no way to connect to the power supply network. You also need to prepare for the fact that you will have to spend a lot of money on a wind turbine. But you will receive environmentally friendly, inexhaustible energy.

    A wind generator is a device for converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. Based on the amount of electricity generated, such devices are divided into large, with a power of more than 100 kW, and small, with a power of less than 100 kW.

    Large ones, with a capacity of up to several megawatts, are used as single elements of wind power plants, which transmit energy to the main power grid for a large number of consumers. Wind power plants are located on the shores of seas, large bodies of water and in desert areas. A mandatory attribute for their deployment is the infrastructure for transmitting energy to power lines.

    Some small wind generators, which will be discussed in this article, have found application for power supply to private homes and autonomous facilities for various purposes– telecommunication towers, street lighting, elements of control systems traffic. They are installed near the site and are often supplemented with a diesel generator.

    Operating principle

    A wind generator is a complex of several devices:


    The principle of operation of the device is that the pressure (pressure) of the wind rotates the wind wheel, which transmits rotation to the generator rotor. The generator rotor excites alternating current in the generator stator windings, which is supplied to the controller. The controller converts this current into direct current and charges the battery with it.

    All consumers receive energy from the battery through an inverter (220 V) or directly (12, 24, 48 V - depending on the number of batteries). The energy of the windmill is not directly transferred to consumers, which is due to the instability of the parameters of the current it receives.

    Types of wind power plants

    The following criteria exist for classifying wind farms:

    1. Number of blades. Wind turbines with up to 4 blades are called low-blade and high-speed. With a number of blades of 4 or more, multi-blade and low-speed. The division according to this criterion is due to the fact that the smaller the number of blades, the, other things being equal, the wind turbine has larger number rpm
    2. Rated power. The criterion is quite arbitrary, but the following gradation is applied: up to 15 kW household (for private houses, portable), 15-100 kW semi-industrial (for small farms, shops, pumping stations), 100 kW - industrial MW units - designed to generate energy used a large number consumers.
    3. Direction of the axis of rotation. This criterion is the most basic, as it affects the main characteristics of the windmill:
      • With a horizontal axis of rotation. Most often two or three bladed, high-speed. The advantages of such devices include: high speed, which means a simpler generator; high utilization rate of wind energy and, as a result, more high efficiency; simplicity of design. The disadvantages include: high level noise, the need for a high mast for installation.
      • With a vertical axis of rotation. There are many varieties of design known - Savonius wind generators, Darrieus rotors, helicoidal rotor, multi-blade wind generators. According to the author of the article, the merits of all such structures are very doubtful. These devices have a complex design, require a complex generator, and have a low wind energy utilization factor (0.18-0.2 versus 0.42 for horizontal ones). The advantages include low noise level and the possibility of installation at a low height.

    A Question of Choice

    When choosing a device, you must answer the following questions:

    • Required power in kW. It is required to estimate the total consumption per month and select a power plant based on this criterion;
    • Equipment manufacturer. It is necessary that the product be certified for use on the territory of the Russian Federation, then you can be sure that the characteristics of the device comply with national standards for noise level and electromagnetic interference. Please note the warranty period and service life of the device; it must be at least 15 years. Find out about after-sales service And warranty repairs equipment. It will not be superfluous to find out reviews about the manufacturer and seller from other users.
    • Required location for installing a wind turbine. Based on your real capabilities. If it is possible to install a high mast with a horizontal type of device, then give it preference. Otherwise, consider a vertical axis design.
    • Price. What is more expensive is not always better. Here, as elsewhere, you can overpay for a brand or for features that are completely unnecessary to you. Clearly define your requirements for the device, do not order unnecessary components.

    If it is possible to install a high mast with a horizontal type of device, then give it preference

    Installation

    When installing, you should remember that in the Russian Federation there is no ban on the installation of wind power plants with a capacity below 75 kW and they are not subject to taxes. But it would still be useful to familiarize yourself with the regulations on the installation and use of such devices for each specific area.

    What you should pay attention to:

    • Permissible mast installation height;
    • Presence of power lines near the proposed installation site;
    • Permissible noise level in decibels;
    • Presence of on-air interference from an operating power plant.

    The permissible height is regulated by local regulations, but the mast cannot be placed near power lines.

    For the last two points, it is necessary to take data from the technical characteristics of the power plant. For suppliers and manufacturers certified in the Russian Federation, these characteristics comply with local legislation.

    A good step would be to obtain consent for installation from neighbors and the organization serving the territory, if any. Consent must be obtained in writing.

    When all the formalities have been settled, it is necessary to determine the specific location for installing the mast. It should be noted that the efficiency will be higher if there are no trees or tall buildings nearby and the mast is located on a hill. The installation location should be chosen so that nearby buildings and trees are not in front of the windmill. It would also be wrong to place the mast on a hill, in front of a cliff.

    The mast must be installed in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If necessary, qualified specialists and special equipment should be involved.


    Price

    Wind power plants for home are available on the market with power ranging from 0.4 kW to 75 kW from various manufacturers. The range of prices for devices of the same power is quite large.

    Let's look at the table:

    Model Power, kW Price, rub
    EDS Group Condor Home 0,5 89600
    EDS Group Condor Home 3 195400
    EDS Group Condor Home 5 285000
    EDS Group Condor Air 10 770000
    EDS Group Condor Air 30 1790000
    EDS Group Condor Air 50 2850000
    Energospetsservice LLC 1 94000
    BEKAR 1 171800
    HY 400-L 0,4 66430
    Energy stock 3 98000
    Energy stock 5 220000
    Energy stock 10 414000
    Energy stock 30 961000
    Energy stock 50 3107000

    What's the matter? But the fact is that manufacturers often indicate the price for only part of the required set of equipment. As an example, consider a 2 kW windmill sold by Energostock. The price on the website is 57,600 rubles, but let’s go to the detailed description of the product.

    And there is the price of a complete set of equipment: wind generator, controller, inverter, battery, mast. And the price of the complete set will be 176,800 rubles. Hence the conclusion - be sure to check the price for the entire set!

    Average prices for Russian and Chinese-made generators are as follows: 1 kW 100-120 TR, 3 kW – 200 TR, 5 kW – 300 TR, 10 kW from half a million, and powerful devices of 20 kW or more will cost more than a million rubles. If you buy equipment from a Western manufacturer or the USA, the prices will be 20-30% higher.

    DIY wind power plants

    If you are planning to make a wind generator, then you should pay attention to the resources of the Network, which suggest 2 approaches: the first is to assemble all the elements with your own hands, and the second involves purchasing ready-made components.

    During assembly, the greatest difficulty is in manufacturing the wind wheel. It is not easy to produce blades for a horizontal axis design with the required aerodynamic characteristics. There are two options: either pay for the production of a workshop with necessary tools and experience, or look towards a design with a vertical axis of rotation, for which the blades can be made from an ordinary barrel.

    You can purchase a used generator, use a washing machine or industrial engine. There is a large selection of ready-made generators and components for their assembly based on neodymium magnets.

    Manufacturing a mast is a very important stage, because the safety of operation of the entire structure depends on it. You need to treat it carefully, entrusting the calculations of the strength of the structure to a specialist.

    Controllers, inverters and batteries It's better to buy ready-made ones.


    Diagram of a wind power plant for self-production

    To install or not

    When deciding the feasibility of installing a wind power plant, you need to obtain the following initial data:


    The algorithm for assessing the payback of a wind turbine is as follows:

    • According to the wind map and technical specifications devices to determine the generated power for the summer and winter periods or monthly. For example, for the 2 kW device discussed above, the generated power at a speed of 5 m/s will be 400 W;
    • Based on the data obtained, determine annual generated capacity;
    • By cost per kilowatt hour determine the price of generated electricity;
    • Share the cost of a wind generator kit the resulting figure will give you the payback in years.

    To make adjustments to the calculation, you should consider:

    • Rechargeable batteries will have to be change at least once every three years;
    • Service life of modern wind generator 20 years;
    • The device needs to be serviced. The cost and terms of service must be clarified with the equipment seller;
    • The cost of a kilowatt-hour increases every year, over the previous 10 years it has more than tripled. Tariffs are planned to increase by at least 4% in 2017, so we can proceed from this figure of an increase in the cost of electricity.

    If the payback figures obtained are not satisfactory, but have alternative source energy, whether you want to connect to a centralized power supply or not, you should consider options for increasing the efficiency of the windmill and reducing the costs of its installation and maintenance.

    The following options are possible:

    • Installing several smaller devices instead of one large one. This will reduce the price of capital equipment, reduce installation and maintenance costs, and also increase productivity due to the fact that small wind turbines have greater efficiency at low speeds wind;
    • Installation of special network system energy management, combined with a central power supply system. Such devices can be found on sale today.

    • for power supply of even a large private house, a power of 10 kW is sufficient;
    • evaluate the power plant’s ability to generate electricity in your area;
    • choose the right location for installing the wind generator;
    • control the completeness of purchased equipment;
    • use ways to increase the payback rate of equipment;
    • If it’s expensive to buy, do it yourself, it’s not that difficult.

    Wind power plants– this is the most alternative option saving electrical energy today.

    Very often, such installations can be found in summer cottages.

    People use them in places where suburban areas are remote from main electrical networks. But this is not the only reason. Most people use wind power plants for reasons of economy and autonomy.

    Wind power plants have their own characteristics that potential buyers need to know, and how productivity depends on their competence.

    The main incentive to purchase a wind generator- this is undoubtedly its expediency. One of the main criteria for achieving this goal is wind requirements. It is known that the average annual wind speed is about 4.0-4.5 m/s, this figure is more than enough for a home wind power plant to be profitable to use, that is, it makes it possible to save electricity.

    To estimate the wind speed in your area, you can use a wind map. If you want to measure wind speed with maximum accuracy, you should purchase a special device that will help you with this.

    This invention includes a part called an anemometer. With its help, you receive a signal equivalent to the speed of the wind. Also, you will need a device that reads the signals that the anemometer gives. There are other devices of this type.

    In order for the data to be as accurate as possible, such devices need to be installed high so that external factors, such as trees, various buildings, etc., did not distort the results of the device.

    Device components

    When purchasing home wind power plants, it is very important to know its components; this will give you the opportunity to be more competent in this matter and choose the best model for your home.

    The wind power plant includes:

    1. Rotor with blades(depending on the model, wind generators are divided into two-blade, three-blade and multi-blade).
    2. A gearbox, in other words, a gearbox. Its job is to regulate the speed between the rotor and the generator.
    3. Protective cover- its name speaks for itself; it is designed to protect all components of a wind power plant from external influences.
    4. "Tail" of a wind turbine- needed to rotate the structure in the direction of the wind.
    5. Battery– its main purpose is to accumulate electricity. This is due to the fact that weather conditions are not always favorable for a wind power plant, and with the help of this component a certain amount of energy is saved.
    6. Inverter installation– designed to transform DC into variable. This is necessary to ensure the operation of household electrical appliances.


    Types and principle of operation

    Wind power plants are divided into types according to the following four criteria:

    1. In the direction of the axis of rotation of the blades(divided into horizontal and vertical. Vertical ones are more resistant to external conditions, but they have less electricity generation).
    2. By number of blades(in this case, wind generators are two-, three- and multi-blade).
    3. According to the material used(they are distinguished with rigid and sailing blades. The main difference is that sailing blades are cheaper, but they are less durable);
    4. According to the method of controlling the blades(they exist with fixed and variable blade pitch. Experts recommend a fixed blade pitch, since variable pitch causes difficulties in use).

    When choosing a power plant, it would be advisable to know what the operating principle of the wind generator is. The operating principle of the installation is extremely simple. The design consists of a shank with blades mounted on a metal mast, which rotate with the help of the wind and spin the generator rotor.

    Before current is supplied to the battery compartment, it passes through a converter where the conversion takes place AC at a constant voltage of 220 Volts with a frequency of 50 Hertz and supplies the house with electricity in calm weather.

    A modern wind generator does not need strong wind. Its design is so well thought out that for a private house a wind speed of up to 4 - 5 m/s is sufficient.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    The main advantages of wind generators:

    1. Costs go towards installation and maintenance of the device. No more expenses are required since the design does not require fuel to operate.
    2. You do not need to control or interfere with the operation of the windmill, since energy generation occurs whenever there is wind.
    3. Depending on the type of generator, it will not produce unnecessary noise.
    4. The device is suitable for most climate conditions.
    5. Part wear is insignificant.

    The main disadvantages of a wind power plant:

    1. IN certain modes or when incorrect installation masts, a wind generator can produce infrasound.
    2. High mast necessarily requires grounding.
    3. The need for regular prevention.
    4. Possibility of damage to the device during hurricanes, etc.

    Selecting the size and location

    The size of the wind farm is very important issue for potential buyers. In order to determine the size, you need to carefully study - how much energy do you consume in one month? The resulting figure must be multiplied by 12 months.

    Then, you need to use the formula: AEO = 1.64 * D*D * V*V*V.

    Notations you need to know when using the formula:

    1. AEO- the electricity you use per year.
    2. D– rotor diameter, which is indicated in meters.
    3. V– average annual wind speed, indicated in m/sec.

    So these calculations will help you determine what size generator you need based on your power consumption.

    When thinking about purchasing a wind power plant for your home, you need to study as accurately as possible all the details associated with the design, since the extent to which your goal will be satisfied depends on this.

    When placing a wind generator, you should consider the following factors:

    1. There should be no trees near your installation, various buildings and other things that could interfere with the maximum productivity of your generator.
    2. It is best to install the wind generator on a specially constructed structure, which should be a couple of meters higher than obstacles located at a distance of at least 200 meters.
    3. It is recommended to place wind power plants at a distance of about 30-40 meters from residential buildings, since they create a certain noise that brings discomfort.

    Also, you must take into account that you will not be able to constantly get the same result from your wind power plant, since natural conditions change, there may be different gusts of wind in the same place, and accordingly, the amount of energy you receive will be dynamic.

    Price overview

    In most cases, the price of wind power plants depends on their power. In domestic conditions, generators with a power of 5 to 50 kW are quite sufficient.

    More details about the price ratio and types of generators:

    1. Wind generators with a power of 3 kW /48Vapproximate cost RUB 93,000.00 These can be used not only as an additional source of power supply, but also as the main one. Such models are able to provide electricity to a cottage.
    2. Wind generators with a power of 5 kW /120V– approximately 220,100.00 rub. This design can provide energy to an entire house. You can turn on enough at the same time large number household electrical appliances.
    3. Wind generators with a power of 10 kW/240V– prices within 414,000.00 rub. It is enough to power a farm or several homes. In addition to household appliances, you can use, for example, electric construction tools all day long without any problems. Such power generators are often used for supermarkets to provide permanent job departments and video surveillance.
    4. Wind generators with a power of 20 kW/240V– the price of such a device is RUB 743,700.00. Power plants of this type are very powerful. They are able to provide electricity to an entire water system. In domestic conditions, it will be able to more than fully provide energy to a huge house.
    5. Wind generators with a power of 30 kW/240V– cost within 961,800.00 rubles. This model is so powerful that it can provide electrical energy five-story house.
    6. Wind generators with a power of 50 kW/380V– approximate price about 3,107,000.00 rub. This model is not rational for use in domestic conditions, since it is so powerful that it can more than provide energy to several multi-story buildings.

    When purchasing a home power station, it is worth knowing that in most cases the prices are indicated for the complete set, but you can add or exclude certain components yourself. This is subject to your personal discretion.

    Efficiency and payback

    Wind power plants for home are an alternative solution for saving energy. They have become quite widespread.

    In order to provide energy to an entire house, it is enough to use one wind generator and at the same time not limit yourself by saving on electricity.

    It is also beneficial that to obtain such an effect it is enough minimum speed winds from 1.8 to 4.5 meters per second.

    But weather conditions are not always suitable for a wind generator, so you need to purchase a backup generator that will provide a reserve of energy. This will provide the opportunity to increase the productivity of your home wind farm.

    Among the positive aspects of the installation, it is worth noting the following:

    1. Having spent a large amount on an electric generator, you won't need to spend any more cash, since fuel is not needed to operate the device. That is, your purchase will be able to pay for itself in just a few years.
    2. Wind generator performance does not depend on the time of year or other weather conditions, its work does not stop even in winter, which is undoubtedly a plus, since in winter time year, energy consumption is higher than in others. This fact undoubtedly testifies to its effectiveness and payback.
    3. Minor wear on generator parts, taking into account regular maintenance of the wind generator, which is necessary. With proper and competent installation, as well as operation of a wind power plant for your home, it can serve you for more than thirty years, which is undoubtedly a significant advantage.

    The full payback period for wind power plants is approximately 5-7 years, and then you will be able to use electricity absolutely free.