How To Build a Wind Turbine: Things to Consider

Copyright (c) 2010 Ben Pace

If you live in a neighborhood in an urban or suburban area, and your research has shown that a wind generator for home use to produce part or all of your electrical needs is a workable alternative for your home, another consideration which has little to do with wind power technology may still challenge your best efforts. Your neighbors might not be as excited as you about changing the skyline with a wind turbine

What are you trying to accomplish with a wind generator? How committed are you to this project? A weekend warrier could take it or leave it. A committed person could not be stopped?

Chances are strong that your local laws require a permit to build a wind generator. There is probably being considered new construction. You may be surprised to find that some of your neighbors are not as happy as you will be to have wind technology next door. Some people will find a reason to oppose anything new. There are some people who have developed an opinion about alternative energy production before the topic was ever discussed. IS a wind turbine noisy when operating? Many people have incorrect information about this. Some people just do not care to have to look at their neighbors house with a wind turbine on the top.

The next step in building your home wind generator.

Your neighbors are important in this project. Learn their likes or dislikes to make the building permit application go smoothly. Casually talk with your neighbors about your energy plans. Share with your neighbors how passionate you are about capturing wind energy and express the positive points of what you are planning to do. Above all, be knowledgeable in all areas of the system you are planning. Be prepared to discuss everything from installation, the fears they may have about the topic to the benefits of the system. Preparing ahead of time about any potential challenges from neighbors or local officials will help you plan a positive approach to securing your permit to add a wind generator for home use. Know in advance that change will create opposition.

A wind turbine is something than many people have never encountered. Manufacturers share literature on their equipment. You can get this to share with those people now knowledgeable with small turbines. Technology has advanced to the point where it is available to the homeowner but the outdated information has formed many negative opinions. Challenges that you must be prepared to address are: 1) Noise is always the first challenge that you will need to be able to address. 2) The unexpected blade flying off and hitting something or someone; 3) Third is about stray voltage bothering the neighbor and 4) Fourth is usually about the unsightly appearance. 5) The fifth challenge will be about lightning strikes and 6) Sixth about killing the local bird population. 7) Hearing problems from a wind generator is always seventh on the list. 8) Eighth is a fire concern from high winds and the blades spinning too fast.

Educate... the unknown will always generate concerns. Education is your best bet.

Don't move forward before carefully researching all local building codes, ordinances and neighborhood restrictions. Make sure that there are not obstacles that you have not overcome before proceeding. Heartache and headache can be avoided by learning up front everything that you will be up against. By being prepared in all aspects, you will succeed in building your wind generator.

To optimize your chances for securing a building or other permit needed, obtain literature from the manufacturer you have chosen. To get a building permit as quickly as possible, be sure to submit statistics pertaining to the product's safety and reliability acquired from reliable sources.

Purchasing a system and paying an installer to put it in is not always guaranteed. Some non-rural areas just have too many restrictions. Once you have successfully obtained permits and/or permissions needed, and your unit is installed and successfully producing electricity, welcome your neighbors to come over and see that your wind generator for home use is a positive step toward energy independence. You just could get your neighborhood to go green!

Building a wind generator can be rewarding and cut or eliminate utility bills! Remember to think through all aspects of the project and everyone around you who could be affected. The actual "how to" of Building a wind generator is actually quite easy. The Make ready mentioned above could make or break the success of this project.