How To Make Your Own Windmill – Essential Tips

Buying a manufactured windmill is likely to cost anything from 10,000 to 30,000 dollars or more, even for a domestic installation, so it is worth thinking about how to build your own windmill. In fact it is very easy and straightforward, and there are plenty of people who claim to have done it for less than 200 dollars. This will not be as big or grand as the manufactured variety, but the potential savings are pretty significant.

So, if you are thinking about making a windmill, what do you need to do first? Before starting to build your own windmill you should do some research:

• Local average wind speed. In spite of what others might say, windmills do not work very well in average winds under 10 mph. The US Government has made available detailed wind resource maps, which are worth consulting before fitting a windmill.

• Building Codes. Check these to see if windmills are allowed in your area. Usually, small windmills will be acceptable, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

• Area of windmill site. A small windmill will need about half an acre.

• Adjacent properties. Consult neighbors first about your ideas, and prepare to overcome any prejudices about possible noise, TV interference and so on.

• Windmill size. No point in making a huge windmill that will generate more electricity than you need. The utility company will not buy any surplus from you, only offset against your grid consumption.

• Batteries. Independence from the electric grid will mean including storage batteries. These can cost you nothing if you know the secret. Or plan to use your windmill to partially offset your utility bills.

These and other considerations make it sensible to get some guidance and advice from experts in windmill design and construction in the early stages of planning the project. You will then be able to choose the right plans for your circumstances, and these need to include comprehensive lists of materials and clear assembly instructions.

Small windmills have only a few components. Typically these are:

• A propeller (actually 3 propeller blades fixed to a hub)

• A DC motor

• A tail fin

• A mounting shaft to which these are fitted

• A tower

• Probably an inverter (to convert DC to AC)

• Batteries

Add some wiring and a few nuts and bolts and you’re there. Almost certainly you will have many of these items in your shed but, even if you have to buy them, 200 dollars should get you all that is required. Even a diy novice can put together a small windmill and fit it in a weekend.

Detailed step-by-step diagrams and instructions to build a windmill are beyond the scope of this article, but they are available for very little money. Please visit Practical-Solar if you would like further information.