Wind turbine question?

Question

I have a few questions about wind turbines:

1) What are the smallest/largest sizes of residential turbines?

2) Can one residential turbine supply energy to more than one house? If so, does this mean that the turbine has to be larger, or can a small turbine supply a sufficient amount of energy?

3) Does a residential turbine have to be directly behind the house, or can it be across the street or even in a nearby field?

If possible, please include some sources. Thank you!

Answer 1

check these people a very novel model that does not kill birds

http://byderule.multiply.com/links/item/...

Answer 2

Most are between 100 watts and 20 kilowatts.

Yes, I have a 20 kw turbine and I produce enough power for 2 to 3 homes.  I am on the electric grid so any excess power goes to my neighbors, my meter runs backwards and the power company sends me a check.  If you are extremely careful about your electric usage it may be possible to get all of your power form a 5 kw system but this would take a lot of effort.  A 10 kw would probably take care of an average home.

A residential turbine can be almost anywhere on your property, normally because of the height they need to be at least 50 feet and often nearly 100 feet from any lot line or the street, just in case it would tip over.

The farther away from the house that the windmill is means longer runs of wire which gets expensive. My windmill is about 120 feet from my house and the wire was over $1000.  And also the longer the electrical run is the more power is lost in the wire.  

www.windturbine.net  has a bunch of info on the Jacobs wind turbines including performance charts on how much power will be produced in a year so you can compare your energy bills and see how large of a system you would need.

www.bergey.com has information on their wind turbines the 10kw is a very good one that requires very little maintenance compared to the Jacobs systems.

My windmill is the Jacobs 31-20 on a 120 ft tower

Answer 3

You can build one, or have it built for you.  If its your land and your resolve is strong, it can be done, just don't take no for an answer.  This link is what I plan to build, maybe 2 or 3 of them.

Answer 4

I've seen them around 4 feet in diameter up to 20+ feet.   Depends on the wind resource, but the large one could power a few houses.   It was a few hundred yards from the houses.   If it is grid connected and just turns a meter it can be much further away.

Answer 5

I doubt you would be allowed to build a residential turbine in a built up urban area.

Not if I can see it from my backyard...

No point in building anything with a rotor of less than 20 meters.