What's the best height for a windmill, if I want to create electricity?

Question

I would have gone strictly solar for this, living in Maine it seemed impractical, especially with the frequency of our stormy days. So, I'm looking into suplimenting solar panels with a windmill as well. Would attaching one to my roof be high enough, or should I go higher with it?

Answer 1

As high as you can get it.   Would be best a couple thousand feet up, like on the top of a mountain (Mars Hill?).   But other than that, twenty feet above any structures or trees within 100 feet would cut down on turbulence.   Going to the Common Ground Fair this year?   They have some good booths set up for wind power and would be glad to help you.

Answer 2

That depends on several factors:

1 The wind patterns

2 local zoning laws

3 your resources

4 type of wind mill

If you have generally strong winds, you can build it lower, but if you have less wind, you may need to build it higher up to tap into the wind currents. Local zoning laws will not permit you from building structures above a certain height (if you live in a community), if at all. How high you build also depends on what you have available to you and how much room you have to build. Lastly, is also depends on the type of windmill. If you are trying to build one more like the wind farms use, you may need to go fairly high up to get enough wind to move the blade. However, if you get one that is smaller and designed more for residential use, it can just go on your roof.

If you buy one, the manufacturer may have recommendations. If they don't, or you DIY, fly a kite, look at the trees, and research local weather patterns.

Answer 3

Go fly a kite.

This should tell you where the best wind currents are.

you have to realize the the shorter the structure that your wind mill is set on, the easier it is to built it sturdy.

Answer 4

50' to 100'  Because of construction constraints, anything over 120' is not feasible.

Answer 5

152 meters

Answer 6

Do not put it on the roof, leave it on the ground because the shaking of the windmill at the base can do roof damage to your home and can be noisy.

Long as the windmill is clear of the roof top of your home your okay.  If you have trees in your yard or near your home you will have to purchase a windmill poll that is higher than the tree(s) because of turbulence and it's effect on the windmill.

Good Luck