Micro Wind Generators

Many new wind generators are coming onto the energy market, from very large commercial wind generators put up by cities and states, to new micro wind generators designed for residential homes. Wind systems transform kinetic wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy, which is then stored in a battery. This captured energy uses an inverter to convert the DC energy into useable AC energy.

Man has long been using wind for capturing energy such as micro wind generators, but only recently has the wind been looked at anew for an inexpensive, renewable energy source. Everyone is familiar with windmills in Holland, and on farms and ranches everywhere. When shortages occurred in the petroleum industry in the 1970s, people began to look for alternative energy sources. Environmentalists brought out awareness of the damages caused by fossil fuels, and that clean energy sources are needed to protect our planet.

Wind and solar energy are renewable, clean, and non-polluting resources for energy production. They are related, and can be combined into hybrid energy systems. Sunshine for daylight power, the wind for 24/7 power, and both can be funnelled into batteries for use in non productive times. There is no air pollution from wind or solar energy because nothing is burned or released into the air. These power sources create their own energy and man has developed systems to capture that energy and convert it into electricity, or water power in the case of windmills working with water flow.

There are new micro wind generators capable of operating in low wind speeds. They are quiet, and do not disturb the aesthetics of the area. Still, cost of these roof mounted units is high, and take over twenty years to recoup costs. Rooftop turbines can be built by homeowners, but there are many applicable variables including the type and pitch of the roofs. These generators can power household lighting, or other small items. Excess electricity created by any wind mill may be sold to the power company, but the rooftop models are primarily for home use.

A newcomer to the energy producing market are wind farms, large areas of land dotted with huge commercial wind generators. As the energy crunch put the squeeze and high prices on traditional energy resources like oil, alternative energy production gained momentum. The United States is the world's third largest producer of wind power, following Germany and Spain. Still, the amount of energy produced from these wind farms is less than a half a percent of all electricity production, and wind farms are present in only about half the US states (2005).

In the present economy of 2008, wind and solar energy receives much more attention, and demand for these technologies is growing. Investor T. Boone Pickens publicized his wind mill based energy plan, and set up purchases for a large wind farm, and the Dutch company Vesta is building a large manufacturing plant in Colorado. For residential use, the choices are more limited. Small wind mills require room, and make noise. Micro wind generators are a viable choice for residential use.

Larger home turbines are 30 to 50 feet high, too large for rooftops. Micro wind turbines still need to be large enough to capture the wind efficiently and in sufficient quantity to be useful. Rooftops are lower to the ground, where there is less wind. Price can be a bit of a problem. Use for homes also depends on location, whether the house receives enough wind, and on local zoning laws. New government tax breaks add to the popularity of alternative energy commitments; rooftop micro wind generators are the answer for residential needs.