| With ready-made windmills costing between | | | | to have batteries for electricity storage. It is |
| $15,000 and $25,000, even for a domestic unit, it | | | | possible to get these for nothing if you know |
| is worth considering how to make a windmill for | | | | where to look. Or simply use your windmill to |
| yourself. And it is really very easy to do, with | | | | reduce your grid consumption. |
| some people claiming to make a do-it-yourself | | | | These and other considerations make it sensible |
| windmill for as little as $200. This will not be as big | | | | to get some guidance and advice from experts in |
| or grand as the manufactured variety, but the | | | | windmill design and construction in the early stages |
| potential savings on your electricity bills will still be | | | | of planning the project. You will then be in a good |
| very significant. | | | | position to choose the right plans, and these need |
| So what steps do you have to take to build your | | | | to include comprehensive lists of materials and |
| own windmill? Before setting out on this project, | | | | clear assembly instructions. |
| you should consider a few things first:o Average | | | | You need only a few components to build your |
| wind speed in your area. In spite of what others | | | | own windmill. Typically these are:o A propeller |
| might say, windmills do not work very well in | | | | (usually 3 propeller blades fixed to a hub)o A |
| average winds of less than 10 miles per hour. The | | | | direct-current motoro A fantailo A mounting shaft |
| US Government has made available detailed wind | | | | to which these are fittedo A mounting poleo An |
| resource maps, which are worth consulting before | | | | inverter, if alternating-current is requiredo |
| fitting a windmill.o Building Codes. Find out if you | | | | Batteries |
| will be allowed to build the type of windmill you | | | | With some electrical cable and a collection of nuts |
| want. For a small windmill you probably will be OK, | | | | and bolts, that's all you need. Many of these items |
| but it's best to make sure.o Space available for | | | | are most likely in your shed but, even if you have |
| the windmill. For a small windmill you should allow | | | | to buy them, you should be able to assemble all |
| about half an acre.o Adjacent properties. Good | | | | you need for less than $200. It is quite feasible to |
| idea to talk to neighbors at the planning stage, and | | | | assemble and fit a small windmill in a weekend. |
| prepare to overcome any prejudices about | | | | Details about how to build your own windmill are |
| possible noise, TV interference and so on.o | | | | available from a number of sources, and you can |
| Windmill size. You only want a windmill that will | | | | get a set of good-quality plans and instructions for |
| generate enough electricity for your needs. The | | | | very little money. You are strongly advised to |
| utility company will not buy any surplus from you, | | | | make this small but vital investment to ensure a |
| only offset against your grid consumption.o | | | | safe, reliable and professional-standard windmill. |
| Storage. If you intend to live off-grid you will need | | | | Good luck with your free electricity! |