6 ms·

So, at his site, 10+ years ago, his wind produced more frequent power than PV would have, at 3x the cost of a commercial solution. Even then, PV would have bee

So, at his site, 10+ years ago, his wind produced more frequent power than PV would have, at 3x the cost of a commercial solution. Even then, PV would have been more cost-efficient. Now with storage probably even more so. Small wind is a mug's game except in very specific circumstances.

dylan604 3y ago
sometimes, it's not about the money.
- pstuart 3y ago
  Indeed. It is a fascinating journey and he even notes it in the article: "...even though from an economical point of view this project was an absolutely terrible loss the amount of satisfaction of seeing a dream like that come true is truly amazing" I hope he sees the post hit the front page and shares any updates on it.
bruce511 3y ago
I sooo want a wind turbine to supplement my solar, but as you say, I just can't make the economics work. For starters, wind is a lot more mechanical. Meaning moving parts. Meaning maintainence, storm care, and so on. For another it's more obtrusive, large, high, creates some degree of noise etc. It's not exactly cheap. My inverter could handle it, but between the mounting and turbine, it's some real cash. The argument for it just falls apart when I do the math. For less money and waaay less hassle, I could just extend the solar. So I love the -idea- of wind but the economics of it just don't work at personal-scale (yet?) Personal Hydro also looks interesting (but alas I have neither the elevation, nor river for that). For a while I researched ocean wave (especially shore wave), but I dont live by the sea. Ultimately we use what we can get, which for me is solar. I get plenty of wind here, which is why it seems a waste to not use it, but again, economics...
- cyberax 3y ago
  There are commercially available wind turbines, rated for 1-20kW. My partner's parents installed such a system in Oregon, they live off-grid and use it to minimize their propane generator's use. A 3kW system was around $7k in total. It doesn't make much sense if you have a grid connection, the payback time will likely be at least 15 years or so. But it makes sense for an off-grid system.
  - spockz 3y ago
    What is the longevity of such a wind turbine? How much maintenance goes into it, both hours and money for parts? 15 years is quite a long time.
    - cyberax 3y ago
      The maintenance needs to be done about once every two years or so. It requires lowering down the mast and inspecting the bearings. Both are pretty easy to do. It's a simple system without a gearbox, the only moving parts are the rotor and the brakes. The turbine is supposed to last for 20 years, and it can probably exceed that.
  - onlyrealcuzzo 3y ago
    How many kwh per day does the 3kw system cost? 2 of those could, theoretically, power all of a typical house's electricity if they got anywhere near 3kw on average. $14k to not need the grid would be a deal.
    - adrianN 3y ago
      Big commercial onshore turbines run at something like 20% peak on average. Your tiny system would likely be much worse.
    - dotancohen 3y ago
      You would need energy storage as well, not to mention spare parts.
    - cyberax 3y ago
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
082349872349872 3y ago
Note that the original uses (pumping, grinding) of windmills were for high-torque, low-speed applications. In principle, gearing should make the low-torque, high-speed motors that one can drive via PV their equivalent or better. I'm no MechE; what's the situation in practice?

dylan604 3y ago

sometimes, it's not about the money.

pstuart 3y ago
Indeed. It is a fascinating journey and he even notes it in the article: "...even though from an economical point of view this project was an absolutely terrible loss the amount of satisfaction of seeing a dream like that come true is truly amazing" I hope he sees the post hit the front page and shares any updates on it.

bruce511 3y ago

I sooo want a wind turbine to supplement my solar, but as you say, I just can't make the economics work. For starters, wind is a lot more mechanical. Meaning moving parts. Meaning maintainence, storm care, and so on. For another it's more obtrusive, large, high, creates some degree of noise etc. It's not exactly cheap. My inverter could handle it, but between the mounting and turbine, it's some real cash. The argument for it just falls apart when I do the math. For less money and waaay less hassle, I could just extend the solar. So I love the -idea- of wind but the economics of it just don't work at personal-scale (yet?) Personal Hydro also looks interesting (but alas I have neither the elevation, nor river for that). For a while I researched ocean wave (especially shore wave), but I dont live by the sea. Ultimately we use what we can get, which for me is solar. I get plenty of wind here, which is why it seems a waste to not use it, but again, economics...

cyberax 3y ago
There are commercially available wind turbines, rated for 1-20kW. My partner's parents installed such a system in Oregon, they live off-grid and use it to minimize their propane generator's use. A 3kW system was around $7k in total. It doesn't make much sense if you have a grid connection, the payback time will likely be at least 15 years or so. But it makes sense for an off-grid system.
- spockz 3y ago
  What is the longevity of such a wind turbine? How much maintenance goes into it, both hours and money for parts? 15 years is quite a long time.
  - cyberax 3y ago
    The maintenance needs to be done about once every two years or so. It requires lowering down the mast and inspecting the bearings. Both are pretty easy to do. It's a simple system without a gearbox, the only moving parts are the rotor and the brakes. The turbine is supposed to last for 20 years, and it can probably exceed that.
- onlyrealcuzzo 3y ago
  How many kwh per day does the 3kw system cost? 2 of those could, theoretically, power all of a typical house's electricity if they got anywhere near 3kw on average. $14k to not need the grid would be a deal.
  - adrianN 3y ago
    Big commercial onshore turbines run at something like 20% peak on average. Your tiny system would likely be much worse.
  - dotancohen 3y ago
    You would need energy storage as well, not to mention spare parts.
  - cyberax 3y ago

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

082349872349872 3y ago

Note that the original uses (pumping, grinding) of windmills were for high-torque, low-speed applications. In principle, gearing should make the low-torque, high-speed motors that one can drive via PV their equivalent or better. I'm no MechE; what's the situation in practice?