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Windmills.
When the skies darken with looming clouds and winds begin to gust, people, pets and other creatures seek refuge inside but one lone figure stands tall above the house and trees openly awaiting the fiercest bursts of wind. The windmill is the intrepid powerhouse that craves the worst weather and graciously produces electricity in a process that is both non-polluting and renewable.
There are a few limitations to harnessing wind power and it is not suitable for every locale, home, or business. For people who live within a good wind corridor, or have a unique micro environment, wind power can be combined with solar power to provide clean and abundant electricity all year long. The windiest, yet darkest, months of the year occur during the fall and winter which allow a windmill to produce an incredible amount of electricity but are less than ideal for solar panels.
During the summer it is not nearly as windy, but it is very sunny with long days which are ideal for using solar panels to tap the sun's energy and charge a bank of batteries for instant power access when needed. Just like solar panels which have to face and track the sun, windmills have to be set up in an area that gets adequate wind.
The rotor has to be higher than the surrounding structures and trees which can be over 100 feet in some areas, and it has to be stable enough to withstand the worst weather without sustaining any damage. The higher the tower the higher the wind velocity but certain areas, such as narrow valley openings and ridge lines can produce microclimates that have higher wind speeds and might not benefit from a taller tower. A plot of land should be fully tested for wind velocities in different areas before erecting a permanent tower.
Wind velocity is not the only variable that affects the amount of power generated from a windmill. The length of the rotors can increase or decrease the amount of power produced depending on their length. A longer rotor produces more power, especially at low wind velocity, but they are much more expensive, require a larger tower and need more maintenance. The basic formula to determine power = diameter of rotors x wind velocity3 x ½ air density.
A smaller rotor can still produce a great deal of power, but they spin faster which makes more noise that may not be tolerated well by nearby neighbors. Smaller rotors may not work as well at high altitudes where the air is much less dense. A typical single home system can cost anywhere between $1,400 and $10,000 for the rotor and tower, while the battery set up can cost as much as $5,000. When taking into account the energy saved the system pays it self off in about 10 years. On a decently constructed system this is less than half its life and a well built windmill could last at least 50 years with regular maintenance.
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