|
Off the Grid Farm
Harness the Wind for Power and Profit
Off the grid farm harnesses the wind for power and even profit. Wind being used for power is not a new notion.
Less than a century ago, before oil was discovered as a "cheap" and "readily available" energy source, the
old-fashioned spinning mills could be found on many farms across the country.
But what is new is that wind can now be a source of profit as well as power.
Wind Power Then and Now
The old-fashioned wind turbines were around for centuries and used primarily for pumping water out of the ground and to grind flour.
But these days, harnessing the power of air is being recognized as a viable source of electricity.
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has estimated that in 2008, such power would produce 16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.
That's enough power to provide electricity to 1.5 million American homes with absolutely no pollution.
And unlike the costs of deriving electricity from oil, air power costs will remain stable.
After the initial expense of installing the equipment, the price of moving air won't go up.
Air Power - How Does It Work?
Electricity is created by spinning a magnet.
So the way air power works is simple:Moving air passes over the blades of the turbine, making it turn.
The rotating blades then turn a shaft inside the turbine which goes into a gearbox.
The gearbox increases the rotation speed for the generator, creating a magnetic field which in turns creates electricity.
Off the Grid Farm
Is It Right For You?
The equipment for harnessing moving air is expensive.
The current cost is anywhere from $6,000 to $22,000 depending on whether you have it installed or install it yourself.
So if you live in an urban setting, it may be just as cost-efficient to get your power from the grid.
Although this may change in the foreseeable future.
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens recently announced an alternative energy campaign to increase production of this clean power.
A Way To Live Off The Land?
Even if you have plenty of room not to mention loads of moving air, you probably won't be able to have an off the grid farm for wind on your land
unless a developer approaches you.
But if he or she does, you could earn anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 per month from your off the grid farm.
You can learn more by visiting the Department of Energy's Website.
What You Need For This Type of Power
You will need at least an acre of land, and, of course, you will need sufficient moving air.
If you live in a hilly or mountainous area, this power source may not be an option for you.
You will need an average wind speed of at least 7-10 miles per hour. There are two ways to find out the average mph in your area.
The U.S. Department of Energy has an online wind map. Also, local airports often measure and record average wind speeds.
If you do get information from an airport, make certain the airport's anemometer is mounted at least thirty feet in the air. Otherwise, it won't give an accurate reading.
Where to Get The Equipment for Your
Off the Grid Farm or Home
AWEA has a commercially proven U.S. equipment providers.
Or save money by building your own turbine.
But if you take this route, be realistic. For such equipment to be effective, it must be well-built.
That means some cost and a lot of time and preparation.
To build your own turbine, an excellent place to start is the Windpower Workshop book by Hugh Piggott. It's considered the best source for anyone considering building his or her own moving air turbine.
Also, because air is never constantly moving, this should never be your sole source of power.
If your dream is to get off the grid, an excellent complement is solar power.
These two sources of power are the perfect match. On cloudy days, when there is no sun, you usually have air moving.
And then on the sunny days you can rely on your solar panels for electricity.
Learn More About
Going Off the Grid
Learn how to make your own solar books with this helpful program.
It's not just for a great day at the beach, but the sun can be a great source of energy as well.
Learn about harnessing power from the sun.
Is it always breezy where you live? You can use all that air to save money.
Learn how harnessing the wind is becoming an increasingly viable source of electricity.
If you have a small stream nearby, you not only have a source of water, but you could also have a potential source of energy.
Learn more here.
Want to use that rain on days when it's dry? You can with a rain barrel.
Learn why a cistern is great source of back up water for emergency purposes.
Find out if solar power is right for you.
If you don't have water pumped into your house, you will need an alterative way to deal with waste.
Enter the Composting Toilet - How it works and why you should have one.
Learn how to make a solar-powered hot water heater with this helpful guide.
For the hard-core, off the gridder: The Methane Digester and How it Works.
Do you have a drilled well and still want to use it, even when you have no power?
Then learn more about a deep well hand pump.
Learn the importance of going off the grid.
If you live in the country now, or you are considering country life in the future, you will soon realize you don't always have a reliable source of power for your home.
That's why knowing a little bit about generators and owning one is so important.
Learn more.
So what separates the portable propane generator from other generators?
You'll find that a propane generator is less expensive to run than the gasoline version, saving you money.
Also propane is a much cleaner fuel that produces fewer toxic fumes, making it safer to use around the home.
Read more.
Using windmills may not be the easiest way to provide power for your home, but if you have the right system and are willing to put in the work, you could have an energy source that will last for years and save you thousands of dollars.
Learn more.
If you live in a sunny area, solar panels could be a great way to get off the grid.
Learn more.
Wood burning cook stoves are the epitome of self reliance when it comes to heating your home and cooking food.
But be aware there is a learning curve to using this appliance from the past.
Learn more.
Return from Off the Grid Farm to Home
|
Build Your Own Chicken Tractor!
You Can Build a Chicken Tractor Provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to build a chicken tractor and also provides helpful information on how to get free wood and how your chickens can pay for themselves.
Click Here learn more.
Search This Site:
Subscribe to my free ezine!
Successful Homesteading is a bi-weekly e-zine covering everything about self-reliance and the healthy, frugal life.
Imagine! Great tips on organic gardening, self reliance, frugal living and frugal recipes on a regular basis and sent straight to your ebox!
Click here to subscribe.
How I'm Earning an Income at Home with This Website
I was determined to stay at home, but also needed a little extra money to make ends meet.
Then I learned about Site Build It!
When I started this website I had virtually no web building skills.
Now I am earning a great part-time income, working from home and having the time of my life.
You can too! Site Build It! has an easy to follow, step-by-step program that will show you how to build a successful website that brings in the traffic you need to get the income you want and start living the life you want to lead.
Want to learn how? Click here.
|
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.