You may already know that you can build a wind generator from the comfort of your own backyard with very little upfront cost, but did you know that there are a couple of different types of wind generators you can build? Each type has significant advantages and disadvantages as well. Here’s the scoop:
Build a Wind Generator Which Operates on ‘Lift’ –
Wind generators which operate according to the principle of lift (like an airplane wing) are called ‘horizontal axis wind turbines,’ or ‘HAWTs’ for short. This is the type of wind generator which is traditionally used in commercial wind turbines.
The primary advantages of HAWTs are that they are the most efficient at converting wind energy to mechanical energy, and that they have the fastest tip to wind speed ratio (i.e. the blades rotate faster than the other type, generating more energy.)
The disadvantages of the HAWT design is that they have many moving parts, which are thus more likely to fail, that they are extremely sensitive to wind turbulence and changes and that they have a smaller ‘wind swept’ area than the other design.
Build a Wind Generator Which Operates on ‘Drag’ –
The other type of wind generator is known as the ‘vertical axis wind turbine,’ or ‘VAWT.’ VAWTs operate according to the principle of drag, similar to a cup anemometer.
The advantages of the VAWT design are that they have only one moving part and are thus less subject to wear and tear. They can also be built more cheaply than HAWT wind turbines and operate well under any wind conditions.
However, due to their lessened efficiency in comparison to their horizontal counterparts, they are impractical solutions for commercial designs. Nonetheless, their ability to be built cheaply and simply make them plausible solutions for home-based wind powering needs.
When You Build a Wind Generator, Which Type Should You Build? –
The type of wind generator you should decide to build depends on your needs and available resources. If you have a need for high efficiency and can afford the increased maintenance, you might consider building a HAWT. If your wind power needs are less and you want to build a wind turbine as cheaply and easily as possible, you might consider building a VAWT.
Building a wind generator is both a fun and interesting experience. Regardless of which type you choose to construct, you can expect to reap vast rewards by tapping into this limitless supply of green energy.
