How Much Do Wind Turbines Cost?
by Brian Bradley
The cost of a wind turbine is a vital consideration, but it is rarely answered by the currently available information sources.
The idea that you could construct a wind turbine for around $50.00 is not feasible unless you already have many of the parts on hand.
Here’s what you’ll need to build your own wind turbine in your backyard, and how much each part will cost:
1) A generator is necessary. An Ametek 30-40 vdc generator can be purchased on Ebay at a price between $30 and $50… This is a great choice, especially in lower wind speeds.
3) Next, go to your local hardware store and get some sheet metal (for the tail and body of your wind turbine) for $5.
3) You’ll need PVC pipe to make the rotor blades for your wind turbine – this is available for around $10, either online or at the hardware store.
4) To connect everything together, you need a “hub” – get it at your hardware store for $10, or make it yourself using circular metal alloy.
5) A Shaft or tower for support can be made out of old satellite TV towers or other materials purchased for around ten dollars.
6) As with all clean energy projects, you’ll need a deep-cycle batter for energy storage – pick it up for free at the golf course, or get it online for $10.
7) A charge controller to protect your battery from the elements is also a good idea – expect to spend about $25.
A dump load for the reception of any extra energy will not cost you anything if you have an old water heater or back-up battery pack around.
9) If AC power is being used, you need an AC Inverter. If you need one, you can get one for between $50 and $75, depending on the wattage needed.
10) Finally, you need the appropriate hardware to attach the blades to the hub, as well as tools like screw drivers, sockets, and sandpaper – allot $10 to this.
Adding up all these items, you see that the cost comes out to $160 to $225 – and if you already have a few of these items, you might get this as low as $100.
