Why not use Solar Panels instead of using generators?

[JungleRumble]

That's a shame, you don't seem to care about the future at all, and eskom has that mindset as well.

Pilgrim was refering to the guvermund!!

 

[BCO]

A mini turbine just won't cut it. Will be too expensive to put this looong pole there but then to only use it for this small little mini turbine. If you want to do it you might as well do it properly. Then there is also no way you are going to put one of these Big Monsters at each and every house. 2 Problems... low frequency noise/noise and shadow flickering. Wind turbines close to homes/residential areas can irritate the hell out of the people there. So if you want to push money into these things, get a hill or something - space them out nicely and let them work. There are some other minor concerns about them, but those only kicks in when they are not maintained properly. Oh wait, this is SA - No such word as maintain in the dictionaries here - my bad.

Actually, vertical axis wind turbines avoid both pitfalls of noise and flickering shadows and are ideal for residential-type environments.

 

[ld13]

Actually, vertical axis wind turbines avoid both pitfalls of noise and flickering shadows and are ideal for residential-type environments.

Never heard of these, thx for the heads up. I'll go and read up about them.

 

[Kokop]

Actually, vertical axis wind turbines avoid both pitfalls of noise and flickering shadows and are ideal for residential-type environments.

Yep, these are the ones. Most importantly they can handle much higher winds. The importance of this tolerance is that the power generation climbs a steep output curve in relation to wind speed.

Horizontal axis have to be de-powered/switched off in high winds (+/- 30 knots?? anyone) whilst vertical axis keep going and generating an exponential power curve per every 5 knots of wind.

Also requires less maintenance if iirc.

Anyone got more info?

 

[CathJ]

Yep, these are the ones. Most importantly they can handle much higher winds. The importance of this tolerance is that the power generation climbs a steep output curve in relation to wind speed.

Horizontal axis have to be de-powered/switched off in high winds (+/- 30 knots?? anyone) whilst vertical axis keep going and generating an exponential power curve per every 5 knots of wind.

Also requires less maintenance if iirc.

Anyone got more info?

Aren't they safer for birds, as well? I remember someone on the forum pointing me to an article on them some time ago - must say, it changed the way I think about them (I didn't really feel they were practical, before).

 

[BCO]

Yes Cath, a VAWT is a solid shape that birds and bats will avoid, unlike a HAWT which birds and bats struggle to detect until it's too late.

Having said that, I'm about to install a HAWT in Kokstad next month. Sorry birdies.