Outside of solar power, the next most prevalent alternative energy source is wind power. This technology is being embraced around the world is continuing to gain a lot of attention from the science world because of it being right in step with the “clean energy” movement. From large wind farms to wind power homes, from stand alone units to ones used merely as backups to solar energy systems, this technology is sweeping nations around the world.

Let’s start with a quick lesson on wind power itself. Wind energy is really a form of solar energy. Confused? Don’t be. As the sun’s rays hit the earth’s surface it is absorbed at different rates. For example, land temperature will rise and fall much more rapidly than a body of water during daylight hours. The air temperature differences create air pressure differences. Varying air pressure differences over an area is the recipe for wind, as air always travels from high pressure to low pressure.

Now in the case of wind power homes where a windmill/wind turbine is present, the motion of the wind is referred to as kinetic energy. As this wind energy (kinetic) passed through the blades of a wind turbine, motion is created. This motion is used to create electricity via an electrical generator that’s coupled to the turbine. The electricity produced by these generators can be stored for later use or sent directly to a power panel for use.

The unit of measurement for electricity generation is watts. The term kilowatt or KW (1000 watts) may be more familiar and is both a measurement of electrical generation and consumption. You may be even more familiar with the electrical meter outside of your home that spins faster as you use more energy and is what the “meter guy” reads to calculate your monthly bill! This unit measures kilowatt hours. An example to understand what kilowatt hours would be: If you left a 100 watt light bulb on for 10 hours (100×10), this would equal 1 Kilowatt/Hour or 1 KW.

As you can imagine, wind power homes use a lot less electricity from “the grid” or electric company since they’re drawing a majority of their energy needs from a home wind turbine. This of course will lead to a reduced electric bill. In addition to providing electricity for household appliances, these units can be used to mechanically and electrically power water pumps; commonly used on farms for irrigation.

Since a wind turbine system generates its power from an actual generator, there are some basics to understand. A simple rule is the higher the wind speed, the more power a unit will produce. Now as far as the output capacities of a unit, this is going to vary based on the design of the unit. Blade size, the pitch of these blades, gear ratios, etc are all factors that can affect the electrical output with a given wind speed.

As you can see, wind power homes are a healthy alternative the traditional “grid tied” home. If you’re thinking of delving deeper, there are countless types of home wind turbines available. There are also many companies that provide pre-fabricated kits to build these units, but what is becoming more popular are the DIY (do it yourself) kits/guides. A pre-fabricated kit can end up being a high ticket item, especially if the unit is designed for a large requirement. The DIY kits can also vary in cost, but there are quality guides available less than $100 that take you step by step through the planning, designing and building a unit.

Homeowners worldwide are looking for ways to tap into this technology and claim their stake in the “green/renewable energy” industry. Wind power is really in its infancy, but growing in popularity amongst all nations. Whether the motivation to dive into this technology is to save money, the environment or both, the current energy crisis worldwide is making alternative energy systems like these an attractive option for energy needs.

About the Author

Landon Marks is an alternative energy enthusiast who’s website, www.letsbegridfree.com offers a simple yet thorough look into the various subjects that surround “Off Grid Living”.