Will A Wind Turbine Help Me Get Off Grid?

If you are like me, you want to have the freedom to be able to choose to disconnect yourself from the strangle hold of the big energy companies. Then I have some good news and bad news.

The good news is that a range of technologies are now available to domestic users which utilise alternative sources of energy therefore it is now possible for you to get off the grid.

The bad news is that one wind turbine or one solar panel isn't going to be enough to do it, and the set-up costs may be prohibitive.

However, if you can combine the benefits of wind power and solar power then maybe you have a chance. These two green sources of energy compliment each other very well. Sunlight is only available during the day but if its cloudy the chances are better that there will be sufficient wind, which can operate 24 hours a day.

The engineers have done the math, and typically one small wind turbine (on a windy day) will generate about the same electricity as 5 solar panels (on a sunny day) so in ideal conditions you would need fewer turbines than solar panels.

If you wanted to buy a turbine off the shelf, the cost would be prohibitive for most people, but the internet now provides all the instructions for how to build your own for a fraction of the cost. Some sources suggest you an do it for a mere $200-$300. The parts are becoming standard items that you can find most in your electrical hardware store or in other places like Ebay. The whole project requires only basic skills and shouldn't take more than a few days to a week max to assemble.

As long as you have the right conditions even just one wind turbine can generate enough power to supply your home with about 60% of it's electricity needs and though that's not enough to free you from your utility bills it is enough to make a pretty big dent in that bill.

If you are serious about getting off the grid, you will have to determine what works best in your area. Start small and expand. You may decide you will need multiple wind turbines or you will need to combine them with other sources of alternative energy such as solar power. This could be simple solar panels or a more elaborate solar hot water system, depending on your needs.

The fact is you CAN save a heap of money by generating your own electricity, and many companies are now prepared to pay you for any excess that you produce! It may not get you off the grid, but it surely is good news if you do something about it.