Wind Turbine Buyers Guide - RENEW Wisconsin

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wind turbinesManufacturer: 928-779-9463 • www.windenergy.comWhisper 100Rotor diameter: 7 feet (2.1 m)Swept area: 38.5 square feet (3.6 m 2 )Rated rpm: 1,200Predicted energy output at average wind speeds: 30 KWH permonth at 8 mph; 65 at 10 mph; 100 at 12 mphApplication: 12, 24, 36, 48 VDC battery chargingPrice (MSRP): $2,475 with controllerWarranty: 5 yearsWhisper 200Rotor diameter: 9 feet (2.7 m)Swept area: 63.5 square feet (5.9 m 2 )Rated rpm: 1,100Predicted energy output at average wind speeds: 60 KWH permonth at 8 mph; 125 at 10 mph; 190 at 12 mphApplication: 12, 24, 36, 48 VDC battery chargingPrice (MSRP): $2,995 with controllerWarranty: 5 yearsSkystream 3.7Rotor diameter: 12 feet (3.6 m)Swept area: 113 square feet (10.5 m 2 )Rated rpm: 325Predicted energy output at average wind speeds: 100 KWH permonth at 8 mph; 240 at 10 mph; 380 at 12 mphApplication: Batteryless grid-tie, or battery charging throughbattery-based inverter (not included) AC inputPrice (MSRP): $5,400, including turbine-integrated batterylessinverterWarranty: 5 yearsWhisper 500Rotor diameter: 15 feet (4.6 m)Swept area: 176 square feet (16.4 m 2 )Rated rpm: 800Predicted energy output at average wind speeds: 170 KWH permonth at 8 mph; 330 at 10 mph; 538 at 12 mphApplication: Batteryless grid-tie; 24, 32, 48 VDC battery chargingPrice (MSRP): $7,675 for battery charging with controller;$12,125 for grid tied with inverterWarranty: 5 yearsWhisper 100 Whisper 200 Skystream 3.7 Whisper 500America. Then contact the owners, and inquire about theirexperience and satisfaction with both the machine and themanufacturer or importer.When you look at prices, keep in mind that just buying awind turbine will not get you any wind-generated electricity.You’ll also need most or all of the components mentionedearlier. Also budget for equipment rental, like a backhoe andcrane, concrete and rebar, electrical components, shipping,and sales tax. Unless you do all of the work yourself, alsofactor in installation labor expenses. These costs can add upsignificantly, so make sure that you research and understandall of the associated expenses before committing to a purchase.Many people are quite surprised to learn that the wind turbinecost can range from only 10 percent to as much as 40 percent ofthe entire wind system’s expenses.Small-scale wind energy is not for the half-hearted,uninvolved, or uncommitted, and probably not for folkswho never change the oil in their vehicles (or are willing tospend the bucks to hire someone to do the tower work). TheNorth American landscape is littered with failed installations:Designs not fully thought-out or tested, machines boughtbecause they were cheap, and installations that required moretime and money for repairs than they ever yielded in electricitygenerated. Many of the failures were the result of wishfulthinking and too little research. That said, there are tens ofthousands of happy wind-electric system owners. These ownersdid their homework—purchasing, designing, and installingrugged and well-thought-out systems on adequately sizedtowers. In addition, they are either committed to maintainingthe systems, or to hiring someone to do this regular work.While many first-time wind turbine buyers may belooking for a bargain, second-time wind turbine buyersare seeking the most rugged machine they can afford. Youcan avoid a painful “learning experience” by focusing ondurability, production, warranty, and track record, and noton price alone, or on peak output. You don’t want to dependon the low bidder for something as important to you as yourlong-term energy investment.www.homepower.com39
wind turbinesRebuilders:Energy Maintenance Service LLC • 605-272-5398 •www.energyms.comHalus Power Systems • 510-780-0591 • www.halus.comVestas V-15Rotor diameter: 50 feet (15 m)Swept area: 1,964 square feet (182 m 2 )Rated rpm: 53Predicted energy output at average wind speeds: N/A at 8 mph;3,354 KWH per month at 10 mph; 5,371 at 12 mphApplication: Batteryless grid-tiePrice (MSRP): $140,000 installed on 110-foot towerWarranty: 1 year; extended warranties availableVestas V-17Rotor diameter: 56 feet (17 m)Swept area: 2,462 square feet (229 m 2 )Rated rpm: 45–50Predicted energy output at average wind speeds: N/A at 8 mph;5,060 KWH per month at 10 mph; 8,198 at 12 mphApplication: Batteryless grid-tiePrice (MSRP): $180,000 installed on 132-foot towerWarranty: 1 year; extended warranty availableManufacturer: 952-447-6064 • www.windturbine.netWTIC 31-20Rotor diameter: 31 feet (9.5 m)Swept area: 754 square feet (70 m 2 )Rated rpm: 175Predicted energy output at average wind speeds: 819 KWH permonth at 8 mph; 1,644 at 10 mph; 2,691 at 12 mphApplication: Batteryless grid-tiePrice (MSRP): $33,900 with inverterWarranty: 1 year; extended warranty availableVestas V-15 Vestas V-17WTIC 31-20Your Wind Turbine?In our next article, we’ll discuss system design and theturbine selection process in more detail. Meanwhile, weencourage you to start with an energy analysis of yourhome—find out how many kilowatt-hours you need andhow you can reasonably pare that number down! Next, findout what your wind resource is—guessing on this will makeyour whole system design a guess. And when it’s time to buy,choose a rugged turbine that will produce what you expect itto, and do that for years to come.Note: All numbers are provided by manufacturers or extrapolatedfrom their data, since no comprehensive, independent testing data isavailable. Turbine performance may vary at your site.AccessMick Sagrillo, E3971 Bluebird Rd., Forestville, WI 54213 •msagrillo@wizunwired.netIan Woofenden, PO Box 1001, Anacortes, WA 98221 •ian.woofenden@homepower.com“Anatomy of a Wind Turbine,” Ian Woofenden & HughPiggott, HP116“Wind Generator Tower Basics,” Ian Woofenden, HP105“Estimating Wind Energy,” Hugh Piggott, HP102Third Annual Small Wind Power Conference: A Gatheringof Installers, Manufacturers, Dealers & Distributors • June12-13, ’07 • Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, StevensPoint, WI • For information, contact Amy Heart at theMREA • 715-592-6595 • amy@the-mrea.org40home power 119 / june & july 2007
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