Wind Maps for US

[Matt]

If you are thinking about using wind as an alternative source of power one of the first things you might want to do is look at the maps for annual average wind power and find out if your area is suited for it. I know some are thinking we always have wind around here or we never have enough wind around here well ok but you can still give the maps a look see if you want to find out what the potential is anyway.

As an example the southeast for the most part has low “annual average wind power” but it can still be used in a lot of places if the proper system is built based on the potential wind you will get. But anyway it is neat to see what parts of the US get the most wind too.

Matt

[moxgrove]

Matt, do you use wind or a combo of energy sources at your place?

[Graybeard]

So why didn't you give a link to these wind maps you want folks to look at? Ya gotta make everything hard don't ya? 

[Matt]

So why didn't you give a link to these wind maps you want folks to look at? Ya gotta make everything hard don't ya? 

Because at 3am my mind shuts down 

http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/maps.html#2-1

give that a try.

Matt

[Matt]

Matt, do you use wind or a combo of energy sources at your place?

We are fully dependant on the grid at this time but are working on a combo of wind and solar for the near future.

Matt

[billy_56081]

I been looking into these a bit, does anyone here have any experiance with these? http://www.magnet4less.com/index.php?cPath=8_83

[Matt]

I been looking into these a bit, does anyone here have any experiance with these? http://www.magnet4less.com/index.php?cPath=8_83

Billy, I have never heard of the company but the prices look good but that whole ALL SALE ARE FINAL line makes me step back and think. 

If you are not able to build your own then you might give it a try but you are able to build your own you many save a 150 bucks or more.

Matt

[Siskiyou]

Matt,

Thanks for the link to wind maps.

[billy_56081]

Doesn't look like Alabama is much of a place for wind power by looking at the maps. I kinda figured here in MN was goo as there are wind turbines everywhere.

[Matt]

Alabama is not the best place for them but they are still useable during most of the year but they have to be designed to work at lower RPM.

Matt

[efremtags]

Wind performs best in mountain areas, along coasts and some open plains. The maps are deceiveing becasue there are many micro climates for wind. Solar is more predictable in that you and your neighbor up the road will have the same sun, but you may not share the same wind because it is so terrain dependant.

[bilmac]

Poke around on the NOAA site long enough and you should be able to find climatological data for your location. Used to be there anyhow. That will tell you how hard the wind blows when it blows which direction it blows, all as a long term average. They also have information on how much sunshine you get.

No I ain't gonna dig it out for ya, I wouldn't know how to make all these link things anyhow.

[Ahshucks]

I've been playing around with this for a couple of years now.  My problem is living in town, and the City Fathers simply have them coded to a point that you can not erect one.  But it is OK to put up a lawn ornament ...



If you're looking at building a large mill capable of providing all the power you normally use and want to construct it yourself with a fabulous payback, take a look at this one.  $40 for the instructions and the generator is built here less than 30 miles from me in Wisconsin.  http://www.prairieturbines.com/  



Keep in mind that when a large mill does break down, it has to be fixed and parts have to be obtained, so your vendor has to be in business and dependable.  Be prepared to climb the tower, or lower it to work on.  If you know how to make most parts, you can make them up ahead of time and be prepared.  That's the advantage of building your own.  

With smaller mills, you can erect more than one, thus becoming a wind farm.  This seems like a logical choice to me, because if one goes out the others are producing yet.  I've been thrilled to watch my lawn ornament flying through the snow storms and working all winter long.  In fact the neighbors enjoy it too.  Since there seems to be no objection in the immediate neighborhood, I may just put up a mill that has been standing ready in my attic this Spring.    



Best battery = keeps your eyes open for a used forklift battery.