The initial investment for a wind turbine can be offset by rebates.
Residential wind turbines convert the clean resource of wind energy into electricity. This provides a green alternative to buying power from the electrical grid. The kinetic energy of the wind is converted into electricity as the wind turns turbine blades. This process powers the system's generator. The generator produces power as direct current (DC) electricity. To meet your home's power needs the DC electricity must be converted to an alternating current (AC). If your system is tied to the electrical grid operated by your local utility company, the excess electricity beyond your home's usage can produce revenue in the form of rebates. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Connect Your Wind Turbine to the Power Grid
1. Contact your local power company and discuss your plans to install a wind turbine. They will inform you if excess power from your system can be sold into their grid and what type of rebates they offer. Some power companies only offer credits, rather than monetary rebates.
2. Connect the unit to a charge controller, after installing the turbine, by the use of power cables. The charge controller directs energy toward your home or to a dump load device when too much electricity is being produced. There may be times when the turbine does not produce sufficiently. It is wise to add batteries to store up energy for use during these periods. Such batteries should be connected to the charge controller. The controller will keep the batteries from overcharging.
3. Connect the charge controller to a dump load device - a specially designed air or water heater that can absorb the excess electricity produced when the grid cannot accept it. The dump load device prevents the system from overloading. Overloading can result in an electrical fire.
4. Connect the charge controller to a grid-tie inverter via power cables. Inverters convert DC electricity into AC electricity that can be used to power your home appliances or can be sent into the grid. Many power companies will provide assistance to aid with achieving the proper calibration of the unit. When properly adjusted, the inverter will convert electricity to a grade compatible with the grid.
5. Connect the grid-tie inverter to the main breaker panel of your home. This will allow your home to receive the electricity generated by the wind turbine.
6. Connect the breaker panel to a two-way power meter. The two-way meter will allow your system to send electricity to the grid when there is excess beyond your home's need, and for your home to receive electricity from the grid when the wind turbine is not producing a sufficient amount of electricity. The meter will also track the amount of electricity your system is sending into the grid to determine the amount of your rebate or credit. Many power companies will provide and install a two-way meter free of charge.
Tags: your home, charge controller, your system, dump load, dump load device, into electricity