Wind Turbines

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Is Wind for me?

 Unlike solar, wind has problems to contend with - the two major ones are being reliability, and the nearly 95% misunderstood over optimistic ratings - and what they really mean. That is pretty much our experience. Despite that we are running wind turbines ourselves in our off-grid system and selling them, wind most of the time gets far too much hype from many over-optimistic resellers. Sure at first sight wind turbines rated at  $2 - $3 per watt are much less expensive as solar ($5 - $6)-  but if you look real close - is it really the case in the long run? - see some facts here. You cannot compare a big wind turbine in a wind park which is going to be re-powered after 8 - 10 years and then written off by the power company, with a small home power wind turbine, on which you and your system depends. There is a world of difference in price, and performance.

 

 So back to the question: "Is wind for you?" Well - a simple rule we use is, that if you find wind bothersome - or annoying - then it is likely you can (and in some cases like in off-grid applications - you should) investigate wind power for your needs. Fortunately for the rest, the prairies are the sunniest provinces in Canada. Using trouble free and reliable PV modules for power generation makes sense for residential users, who have reliability on top of their priority scale.

 

 

 One fact remains: Small wind is fun to have, because it tells you when it's working - and it usually works when the sun isn't shining. That makes it a nice resource to couple with solar especially in hybrid off-grid  systems. In today's Renewable Energy Systems wind turbines are generally recommended for ANY year-round off-grid system. The main advantage is by extending a 4-7 hour solar window to up to 24 hours with a wind turbine.

 

About wind generator and power curves.

 Most wind generators have somewhat "generous" ratings, as the power output is usually specified as "PEAK". In real life in many cases you will be lucky to get it. Also, most people tend to over-estimate how much wind they actually get. Many wind generators require winds in the 12 to 25 MPH range to reach this peak value - and 25 MPH is Beaufort 6 - the stage where the wind starts to "whistle" on wires and around structures and you stay put inside.

 To our knowledge, there is NO small to mid-size wind generators made by anyone, anywhere, that could really be considered a 100% reliable. Like in the car industry there are some products who are more reliable as others, and the politics of promoting wind turbines are similar how cars are being showcased to the consumer. (best in this - best in that etc). We have considered dropping wind generators completely - they amount to about 1% of our sales but 10% of our headaches - and we may yet do that, if the recent crop of generators did not showed a marked improvement. 

 With the Air Breeze for instance we have a great example  of a reliable small wind generator emerging from the Air series from the late 80's and over two decades of experience with this unit. Was the Air 303, 403 and the Air X loved and hated by their owners and for too many a machine from hell, the Air Breeze emerged like a "Prince out of the Darkness". We also can say with confidence that a Whisper 100 is one of the most reliable machines we ever been testing, selling and flying ourselves.

 

 

 Mainly we sell Southwest Windpower turbines because we know them for the longest and flying them ourselves. Many manufacturers of small and medium wind turbines come and "fly" by night. We have seen it all to often. In Southwest Windpower we have the major player in the small wind industry with over 25 years of experience in the business. It is a true North American product, made in the US. So it is a simple decision on our part what turbine to recommend to our customers. 

 

How a wind turbine works  

 

Simply said, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, a turbine uses wind to make electricity.  

We avoid deliberately having to much "tech talk" on our information website - we stick to the basic's and share our practical experience. There are forums and websites around to satisfy the science oriented customer.  

 

  Whisper Turbines

The Whisper series adds flexibility for your renewable energy system. Any Whisper 100 and 200 can have its voltage changed, from 12 to 24 to 48V DC - within minutes in the field. If you want to sell it, or on trade ins you have the advantage to address with one turbine 12/24 and 48V customers.

 

 

 

 The WHISPER series includes a cast aluminum frame and operates in a smooth, quiet operation due the *patented "angle-governor" furling design, which protects the turbine in high winds by turning the alternators head and blades out of the wind, reducing so turbine exposure. This Angle-Governor allows the Whisper turbines to achieve a strong output in any wind. 

 On this Wind generator the blades rotate the outer shell of permanent bar magnets around a stationary 3 phase AC winding, creating 3 phase AC, rectified to DC in the Whisper Key Controller ( included with every WHISPER turbine purchase)

  WHISPERS are coming in a 24 System voltage set up , and are  easy to re-configure  in a few short 'jumper" steps  to 12V  or 48 V   (both Turbine AND Controller) making it the most versatile turbine in the industry.

 The WHISPER Key Controller offers reliability and  control for battery charging. Basic functions are rectification, regulation, configuration to different voltages and resistive power dumping. Additionally, it continuously monitors on an optional available display voltage, current, energy production, and wind speed (if equipped with an anemometer)  

 The controller installs within minutes and it protects both your wind turbine and battery. The Whisper controller fits easily inside a battery room. Add the optional LCD display and you will instantly receive real time data on the performance of your Whisper Turbine. The display can be mounted on the controller or a 1000 (300 meters) away letting you know what it produces.

Note: With the  high voltage option, any Whisper turbines can be located more than 2 miles (3.2 km) from your storage batteries.

 

 

            

      

Click into each of the pictures for more information. From left to right: Air Series. W 100. W 200. W 500. 

  

Other Downloads!         AIR BREEZE

For more information and frequently asked questions about wind power for homeowners click HERE

 

- Windspeed conversion table (500kb)