Wind Turbine Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Installing a small wind turbine at home can be a great way to lower your electricity bills while also being eco-friendly. Recent advances in technology have made small-scale wind power more accessible and affordable than ever for the average homeowner. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of planning, purchasing, permitting, and installing your own DIY wind turbine system.

Understanding Wind Energy

Before jumping into the installation process, it’s important to understand some wind energy basics.

What is Wind Energy?

Wind energy simply refers to the process of using wind to generate mechanical power or electricity. This is achieved through using a wind turbine that converts the kinetic energy in wind into rotational energy to drive an electrical generator. The greater the wind speed, the more kinetic energy that can be captured and converted by the turbine.

Why Harvest Wind Energy at Home?

There are many good reasons to consider installing a small wind energy system on your property:

• Lower electricity bills – Any renewable energy you produce can displace electricity purchased from the utility company, saving you money each month.
• Energy independence – Producing your own wind power means relying less on potentially fluctuating utility prices.
• Clean, renewable electricity – Wind energy doesn’t create any harmful emissions or waste products.
• Possible selling of excess energy – Depending on local net metering policies, you may even be able to sell surplus energy back to the grid.

Key Components of a Small Wind Turbine

A DIY home wind turbine system has 4 main components:

Turbine Tower

• Supports and elevates the turbine to capture higher wind speeds
• Can be freestanding or guyed (supported by tensioned cables)
• Height is proportional to potential energy generation

Generator & Nacelle

• Housed at the top of the tower
• Includes blades, shaft, mechanical gearbox (in some models), and generator
• Most common configurations:
  • Horizontal axis
  • Vertical axis
  • Savonius
  • Darrieus

Batteries

• Stores any unused generated electricity for later use
• Deep cycle lead-acid batteries are commonly used
• Sized based on energy storage needs

Inverter

• Converts DC output of turbine into usable AC electricity
• Must be a “grid-tie” inverter if connecting to the utility grid

Assessing Your Site’s Wind Resource

The availability of strong, steady winds is key to turbine performance. It’s crucial to objectively evaluate your location using data before committing to an installation.

Average Wind Speeds

• Annual average speeds should ideally be 10 mph (4.5 m/s) or greater
• Turbulence intensity (gustiness) should be relatively low

Vertical Wind Shear

• Wind speeds tend to increase significantly with elevation
• Taller towers take better advantage of faster, steadier high-altitude winds

There are some helpful online wind mapping tools available from the U.S. Department of Energy to estimate speeds and shear at different heights above ground level. Keep in mind, small-scale localized topographic effects can cause variation from these general maps.

Anemometer Measurement

For the most accurate on-site wind resource analysis, you can install an anemometer (wind meter) and data logger to record averages over time:

• Mount near the planned turbine hub height
• Should log at multiple heights (extrapolating upwards)
• 1+ years of wind data is ideal to capture seasonal variations

This measured data can better inform turbine model selection and projected performance.

Permitting & Regulations

Most areas have regulations regarding the installation and operation of wind turbines. Be sure to research all federal, state/provincial, county, and municipal rules that apply to your property early in the planning process.

Key Regulations

Common regulatory considerations include:

• Structure height – Local zoning laws and aircraft obstruction rules
• Setback minimums – Distance from property lines, dwellings, rights of way, etc.
• Sound limits – Decibel limits for residential areas
• Appearance – Color, finish, lighting standards
• Safety rules – Electrical, structural, access, locks, markings
• Utility connection – Technical standards for grid-tied systems

Permits

Typical required permits and approvals may involve:

• Local building codes & inspections
• Zoning variances
• Flight obstruction registrations
• Utility grid interconnection

Failure to adhere to relevant regulations can risk fines, turbine removal orders, and complications with your property and insurance.

Calculating Power Needs vs. Generation

To right-size your wind system, you’ll need to assess your home’s electricity consumption needs and compare that to your site’s projected generation capability.

Determining Energy Usage

Examine previous electric bills to find your average monthly kilowatt-hour usage. Factoring in any plans to add electricity-draw appliances or vehicles, estimate your future monthly usage. This represents the minimum output needed from your wind turbine.

Estimating Potential Generation

Once you’ve researched wind speeds using the anemometer and online data tools, you can refer to wind turbine power curves to see expected output at those average speeds. This depends on wind consistency and distribution as well as tower configuration.

Compare your estimated generation capacity to your usage needs and plan to install a turbine sized to provide at least 130% of that power demand. This helps compensate for seasonal wind variations and ensures you can take full advantage of excess generation.

Shopping for Equipment

With technical planning done, it’s time to start sourcing components. Assessing options and purchasing equipment represents a significant portion of the overall cost.

Key Considerations

• New equipment comes at a premium but with manufacturer quality assurance and warranties
• Refurbished or used equipment costs considerably less but may have shorter working lifespans or uncertain maintenance histories
• Free shipping, local pickup, package deals, and sales can offer major cost savings

Regardless of budget, prioritize investing more in the turbine itself and battery bank over the tower to maximize energy production and storage capacity.

Sourcing Checklist

You’ll need to purchase these (new or used) main system elements:

•  Wind turbine generator w/ blades sized to match average wind speeds & power needs
•  Compatible charge controller
•  Deep cycle batteries able to store 2-5 days’ worth of generated power usage
•  Grid-tied or off-grid power inverter per utility rules
•  Guyed or freestanding tower tall enough to access optimal winds
•  Any balance of system parts e.g. enclosures, mounts, wiring

Preparing the Site

With the wind turbine and components purchased, it’s time to ready your site for installation. Proper site preparation is crucial for safety, performance, and longevity of the system.

Zoning Off the Area

Measure and stake off the cleared area needed, including the tower footprint and blade sweep diameter clearance zone. Mark buried utility lines if present. Rope or fence off to protect the space.

Clearing Obstructions

Remove any trees, brush, structures or landscaping within the safety cleared boundary area:

• Helps prevent turbulent airflow near the turbine
• Eliminates hazards of debris being flung during high winds
• Allows crane & equipment access for future maintenance

Preparing the Foundation

Based on soil conditions and frost line depth, dig and fill a reinforced concrete anchor foundation for the tower according to engineering specifications.

• Diameter is sized based on loads and soil bearing capacity
• Soil testing helps determine if anchoring bolts are needed
• Allow proper curing time before mounting the tower

Step-by-Step Installation

With preparations complete, it’s time for the exciting main event – safely erecting your wind turbine!

Assembling the Tower

Refer to manufacturer instructions for properly assembling & anchoring tower sections:

1. Bolt together and stand up first tower section. Align to markers & anchor bolts in foundation.
2. Add middle sections one by one, aligning flanges & securing with nuts/bolts all around each new connection.
3. Hoist and fasten top tower section and yaw pivot.

Mounting the Turbine

Before lifting, all electrical wiring should be pre-run through the tower interior up to the top.

1. Rig raising cables to turbine mounting brackets as directed. Use tag lines for controlling spin.
2. Carefully hoist turbine atop tower with adequately rated lifting equipment (crane, gin pole, A-frame, etc).
3. Align yaw hole and bolt turbine mount to top tower flange.

Installing Guy Wires (If Applicable)

For guyed towers:

1. Anchor helical ground anchor rods or concrete foundation piers at marked radial positions matching tower attachments.
2. Run cables through adjustable tensioners, allowing some slack.
3. Secure to tower anchor points using proper shackles, turnbuckles, etc.
4. Tension each cable evenly to approximately 25% rated force.

Making Electrical Connections

With nacelle safely mounted, electrical hookup can proceed:

1. Connect turbine power cables to controller.
2. Run and connect additional interior wires from controller to batteries, inverter, and any monitoring systems.
3. Finally, connect inverter AC intertie cable to house electrical panel or grid connection.

With wiring finished, your DIY wind turbine installation is now complete!

Testing, Inspection & Commissioning

Before operating your new turbine, it’s vitally important to test all systems and complete final safety reviews. Consider hiring a wind professional for these tasks if you lack expertise.

• Verify turbine yaw pivots freely to point into wind
• Inspect all anchors, guys, hardware connections visually and with torque wrench
• Tension guy wires to specified forces based on likely maximum wind speeds
• Test brake mechanism under no power
• Check batteries, controller, inverter for correct start-up & performance when turbine begins spinning
• Have structural stability & electrical hookups certified by licensed inspector (where required)

Only once all tests and inspections pass without issues should your turbine be allowed to commence officially generating energy!

Safety Precautions

It’s also essential to keep safety at front of mind regarding operational turbines, as the spinning blades pose serious hazards if caution isn’t exercised.

General Safety Tips

• Never approach the tower while turbine is in motion! First brake the blades fully to stop rotation.
• Have autolocks to prevent unauthorized access or tampering
• Keep children and pets away from site
• Avoid guy wires to prevent tripping risk
• Beware of ice throw in cold weather
• Never perform any tower access or maintenance in high winds

Be sure to also follow all included manufacturer safety procedures. Some towers include interior lanyard attachment points to be kept clipped into during servicing.

Routine Turbine Maintenance

To keep your wind turbine generating optimally for years to come, be diligent in regularly inspecting components and performing preventative maintenance.

Maintenance Checklist

Follow this minimum schedule, along with any other manufacturer guidance:

Monthly

• Visually inspect turbine, blades, tower exterior and interior for damage
• Check guy wire tensions are correct
• Verify tower bolts & anchors are tight
• Check batteries & refill distilled water as needed
• Wipe off blades & clean debris from system

6 Months

• Inspect wiring & connections
• Check gearbox oil
• Replace worn brake pads
• Spot recoat any chipped exterior paint

Annual

• Have turbines inspected inside & out by a wind professional, testing:
  • Structural soundness & fatigue
  • Yaw bearing operation & lube
  • Motor mount integrity
  • Blade erosion & cracks
  • Fluid levels & leaks
  • Electrical terminations & insulation
  • Foundations & anchor integrity

10 Years

• Have comprehensive overhaul done, including replacing bearings, slip rings, seals etc. Extends life significantly.

Be sure to keep records of all maintenance activities including dates, observations, tests, parts replacements, etc. Issues detected and remedied early on prevent much larger problems long term.

Troubleshooting Issues

If you notice your turbine underperforming or encounter any error codes from diagnostic systems, identifying and resolving the underlying issue right away is key to avoiding complications.

Be sure to refer to troubleshooting chapters in equipment manuals as well. Call technical support experts for the make of your turbine or other components if problems persist.

Long-Term Cost Savings

Installing a wind turbine does require considerable upfront capital, which can deter some homeowners. However, once commissioned, a wind generator provides free ongoing renewable energy for decades, providing great value over the system’s lifetime.

Payback Period

Exact payback timing on your wind investment depends greatly on:

• Electricity rates in your area
• Average wind resource availability
• Size of turbine vs energy consumption
• Any excess power purchasing agreements

Under good conditions, payback on the overall turbine cost generally occurs in 10-15 years. This makes your electricity essentially free for the remaining operational life of the unit.

Additional Value

On top of profiting from monthly energy savings for 20+ years, investing in a wind turbine system can provide other economic benefits:

• Added property value from the renewable energy asset
• Income from power sold back to the grid
• Lower home insurance premiums in some cases
• Reduced vulnerability to utility rate jumps

Going Off-Grid

While grid-tied systems are most common due to net metering incentives, you can take your wind energy independence one step further by opting to install an off-grid turbine configuration instead and removing reliance on the utility company entirely.

System Adaptations

Going off-grid requires these additional components:

• Larger battery bank with 2-5 days of home power storage
• Specially configured off-grid power inverter
• Backup generator for periods when wind and solar can’t meet demand

The turbine and tower itself do not differ for off-grid applications. Keep in mind, being disconnected from the grid means no access to sell back extra wind energy.

Living Off-Grid

Adapting your lifestyle to work seamlessly on renewable energy alone takes some adjustments, including:

• Rigorously tracking and managing consumption
• Choosing ultra-efficient fixtures and appliances
• Setting usage schedules to match generation patterns
• Maintaining backup supply redundancy

The rewards of off-grid energy independence are well worth the effort for many homeowners though. Lower bills, zero reliance on fickle utilities, and a minimized environmental impact can be great motivators.

Conclusion

Installing your own small wind energy system is an incredibly empowering way to take control of your energy future while reducing environmental impact. From assessing your wind resource to selecting equipment to cleaning and maintaining your turbine, this guide covered the full DIY journey in detail. What begins as a complex endeavor ends up a simple process when taken step-by-step.

While expert assistance is advisable, don’t become overwhelmed or let challenges deter you. The beauty of DIY wind turbines is that, armed with passion and the right information, homeowners can achieve clean energy independence on their own terms. The world needs more distributed renewable generation, and your successfully installed turbine gets us one windmill closer!