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0 pointscyberax2y ago0 comments

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.

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spockz2y 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.

cyberaxOP2y 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.

onlyrealcuzzo2y 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.

cyberaxOP2y ago

You won't really be able to power a house consistently with wind turbines because there are long periods (many days) without enough wind. No amount of storage can compensate for that, you'll need a generator or a grid tie-in.

The average capacity factor over the last year was about 30%, and they live in a rather windy location.

cinntaile2y ago

If you supplement that with some solar panels and a battery, a generator wouldn't have to run that often.

adrianN2y ago

Big commercial onshore turbines run at something like 20% peak on average. Your tiny system would likely be much worse.

dotancohen2y ago

You would need energy storage as well, not to mention spare parts.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointscyberax2y ago0 comments

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.

0 comments

spockz2y 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.

cyberaxOP2y 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.

onlyrealcuzzo2y 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.

cyberaxOP2y ago

The average capacity factor over the last year was about 30%, and they live in a rather windy location.

cinntaile2y ago

If you supplement that with some solar panels and a battery, a generator wouldn't have to run that often.

adrianN2y ago

Big commercial onshore turbines run at something like 20% peak on average. Your tiny system would likely be much worse.

dotancohen2y ago

You would need energy storage as well, not to mention spare parts.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse