3.1 kW Wind and Solar Kit 3105 Watt Home Hybrid Energy Package Kit Off-Grid System

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Preparing for a Wind Turbine Installation - Siting Considerations

One of the most important considerations is siting. General industry standard is AR40-10-48 ft. above obstacles within AR40-10-480 ft. Obstacles in the primary wind energy direction have an increased impact on the production of a wind turbine by altering the resource or increasing turbulence. There are multiple ways to help avoid this potential conflict, including siting the turbine in a more open area, locating the turbine upwind of obstacle(s) to the prevailing wind direction, or increasing the tower height. Poor siting not only affects production and wear and tear on the turbine, but also the experience and overall satisfaction of wind as a viable power generating source.

To avoid air turbulence, wind turbines should be placed on a tower high enough that the bottom of the turbine rotor’s swept area is at least 20’ to AR40-10-48’ higher than any buildings, trees, or other obstructions within a AR40-10-480’ to 500’ radius. If the wind at the site primarily comes from a particular direction, and the obstructions are not in the wind path, then less clearance may be allowable as long as the flowing air is laminar. In the illustration below, a kite with long streamers tied to the line at 10’ intervals can be used to find the height above ground level where the air flow smooths out. Look for the first streamer to be fully furled out.

The distance from the tower to the battery bank needs to be taken into consideration. This will dictate the size, length, and therefore the cost of wire. Locating the turbine and tower should be thoroughly thought out with attention to: the ease of access between the two for possible trenching, potential traffic, direct burial cable or conduit, junctions or splices, and safety. The proximity to property lines and surrounding area to accommodate access to the turbine, whether the tower is tilted down, or serviced by a lift will also affect tower location.

TOWER OPTIONS

There are different types of towers onto which a wind turbine can be mounted. These include: lattice or truss type towers, stand-alone towers (monopole), guyed towers, and homemade. There are pros and cons associated with each as well as applications. Some considerations are:

● Guyed towers are relatively inexpensive, easily raised and lowered, can be assembled onsite, but require a larger foot print.

● Stand-alone (pole) towers are generally more attractive, no guy wires, have height limitations, and require extensive foundation and concrete work prior to installation.

● Lattice or truss type towers generally are climbable, can be assembled onsite, require concrete, a larger base footprint, and possibly guy wires.

Why Off Grid Systems Should Include Both Solar AND Wind

Wind speeds are highest during the winter months when solar resources are at their minimum Air density is highest in winter maximizing wind power production wind provides power during inclement weather when sunshine is not present wind provides power at night

Content 3 Winter wind speeds primary focus in winter because the mean upper-air wind speeds are stronger than in any other season over most of the contiguous United States.

● Regions in white; Typically solar only regions. Regions in light blue; Hybrid solutions should be analyzed. Light blue to dark blue; Hybrid solutions strongly recommended.

Wind Power Systems: Solar Plus Air The Hybrid Solution

In most instances, solar is utilized as a power generation medium for off-grid applications. Primus Wind Power and Blue Pacific Solar are advocates for wind to be used in conjunction with solar for system redundancy, more uniform power generation, and reduced depth of discharge. AIR is a suitable complement for nearly any off-grid power system where solar is being used.

● Energy loads that are necessary in the wintertime and nighttime off-grid should represent a wind component using the AIR 1-ARAR40-10-48-10-48 turbine. A prime example is heating, where the load is increased in the wintertime (due to longer nights) and where energy generation is a complement to solar during the nighttime when wind power generation can occur and solar power generation cannot.

Picture of the MidNite Hybird Primus Wind and Solar

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