PV Gap

Bernard Said:

Do people really build their own wind turbines or solar powers for their homes?

We Answered:

you cannot build useful solar panels.
the technology, and minerals needed, are just not available to most people.

i have seen a house with a merry-go-round of 55-gallon drums cut in half.
sort of like a water wheel, but intended to turn with wind.
However, i've never seen it turning.

When building a propeller to turn at any speed, balance is absolutely critical.
if it's off just a little bit, and is turning at any speed, it will shake it's tower apart.

In addition, commercial wind farms are located at optimal wind locations.
In general, houses are NOT located at optimal wind locations.
the energy available at your house is usually not enough to justify building a windmill, even if you could.

this is not to say that people cannot build something.
However, when i was testing fans, one morning, a fan had torn itself apart, and 1 blade had nearly severed a 2x4 on it's way up through the roof.
NO, you really do need to have anything that's turning relatively fast to be perfectly balanced.