The PowerMax 1 KW Wind Generator System is a nice low cost wind generator that will produce 1KW at 20 miles per hour wind speed. If you have a steady wind you can help cut down on your power bill each month. Compared to solar power this will not cost much and can be set up and making power for you in no time at all.

Here is Amazons product description:

"CE listed and ISO 9001 certified genuine 1 KW wind generator system with 48 Volt output. Good for homes, cabin or remote area which need off grid systems. Low cost. Easy set up. Include generator, tail, blades, hub, nose cone, charge controller, inverter, electrical cable. The charge controller and inverter are covered by one year warranty and all the other parts are covered by 2 year factory warranty. The buyer need poles and batteries to set the system up. Contact us if you need further help!"

UPDATE: August 31, 2012

It has a current list price at Amazon of $1,633.82 $1,384.57 USD.

For more information on the PowerMax 1 KW Wind Generator System, visit the product details page.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

If you are looking to fully power your home with wind then you should check out the Solzar 20 KW Wind Turbine. This is the BIG BOY of wind generators.

Compared to the same wattage of solar panels, the price is cheap. This would look really cool in the yard and you could look out each day with a smile knowing you will not be paying a power bill. The power company might even send you a check if you have made more energy than you used.

Here is the Amazon product description:

"Solzar's wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy. Wind turbines are commonly used in Off-Grid Hybrid applications, where solar panels and wind turbines will generate power to a system that is unable to connect to a utility grid."

UPDATE: August 31, 2012

This product was previously listed on Amazon.com for $49,400.00, but the product is no longer available. There are no similar sized turbines available through Amazon at the present time either. The largest is a 5 KW Wind Generator System from Talon.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

Are you in need of a high quality tower for your wind generator? The Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30' Tower Kit is easy to assemble and is an excellent choice to fit your needs.

Although designed to be used with the Sunforce line of wind turbines, specifically the Sunforce 44447 900W Wind Turbine, this tower can be used with any similar wind generators and will save you the trouble of having to construct one yourself.

Here's what you get in the kit:

"The kit includes a plastic bag, manual, wire ties, guy wire plate stampings, hardware box, pipe pox, cable crimps and a sales policy document. The manufacturer recommends using a cement base for best performance."

UPDATE: August 31, 2012

This unit has been replaced by the Sunforce 45455 Wind Generator 30' Tower Kit which currently sells Amazon for $368.14 USD. That's a 32% discount!

For more information on the Sunforce 44455/45455 Wind Generator 30' Tower Kit, visit the product details page.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

If you need to produce electricity at a remote location or simply wish to lower your power bill, the Sunforce 400 Watt Land Wind Generator (Pack of 3) is an ideal renewable energy solution. Each generator will have an average monthly output of 38 KWH given an average 12 mph wind speed (start speed is 8 mph). As your wind speeds increase so does the energy output. This product is virtually maintenance free having only two moving parts. Assembly is required but this generator is easily installed to any sturdy pole, building or for optimal energy production the Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30-Foot Tower. To store your clean pollution free power 12-volt batteries (not included) are required.

Here is the Amazon product description:

"A light weight portable and quiet wind generator ideal for charging your batteries."

UPDATE: August 31, 2012

This product is no longer available through Amazon, but you can still purchase 3 Sunforce 44444 400W Wind Generators seperately. ;)

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

The Sunforce Air X Marine Wind Turbine is another great personal wind turbine from Southwest Windpower. It has a small form factor and a stylish look that will turn heads when mounted on your bow or anywhere else on your boat. It has a smart controller built in so it can control the blades rotation speed which helps cut down on noise and it starts making electricity at just 6 knots or 7 miles per hour wind speed.

Also included is a great 3 year warranty! This is a wind turbine that will be around for years to come guaranteed! The current Amazon price is just $719.60 USD.

Here is the Amazon Product Description:

"The Sunforce AIR X Marine Wind Turbine is the world's number one selling small wind turbine for sailboats. The unit incorporates a new microprocessor based technology that results in increased performance, improved battery charging capability, greater reliability and the reduction of "flutter" noise from the machine. The controller allows for peak-power tracking of the wind by optimizing the alternator's output on all points of the cubic curve and efficiently delivers the energy to the battery. The turbine's smart controller allows it to actually control blade rotation speed thus eliminating the buzzing noise commonly found with most small wind turbines."

UPDATE: August 31, 2012

The Sunforce AIR X Marine Wind Turbine is no longer available at Amazon. Sunforce is a rebranding of the Southwest Wind Power product line, so the closest alternative products would be the Air Breeze 24V Wind Turbine and the Air Breeze 12V Wind Turbine avaiable through altestore.com.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

The Sunforce Air X Wind Generator - 24 Volt, Model# 44445 is a really nice wind turbine by Sunforce. It's great for cabins or really any home where you have steady wind. If you are looking for a 24 volt wind generator you should consider it.

With a nice small form factor, its short 13-inch long blades and overall diameter of just 46 inches, it doesn't take up much space. The blades are made of carbon fiber and this helps to cut down on wind noise. This model produces up to 400 watts which is great for such a small sized wind generator.

Here is the Amazon product description:

"Use the wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Great for cabins, 24V battery charging, remote power, backup power and hobbyists. Delivers up to 400 Watts. U.S.A. Application: Appliances and electronics, Volts: 24, Watts: 400, Blade Material: Carbon fiber composite, Speed (MPH): 110, Blade Diameter (in.): 46, Material: Lightweight cast aluminum, Dimensions L x W x H
(in.): 24 x 15 x 9, Overspeed/Overcrank Shutdown: Electronic torque control"

UPDATE: August 31, 2012

The Sunforce Air X Wind Generator - 24 Volt, Model# 44445 is no longer available through Amazon.com. Sunforce is just a rebranding of the Southwest Wind Power line of products, so the closest alternative might be the Southwest Wind Power AIR40 24 Volt With Built-in Regulator sold at altestore.com. They also carry the AIR30 and AIR Breeze Series Wind Turbines.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

The Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator is a 12 volt, 400 W wind turbine that was also developed by Southwest Windpower of Flagstaff, Arizona in the United States. It uses wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics.

This home wind generator running at an average wind speed of 15 mph will generate 50-60 watts per day at 2 to 3 amps. This wind generator does not connect to the grid and it is suggested by the manufacturer that it be used as a compliment to home solar power.

Price Update: August 31, 2012

This product currently sells on Amazon for $799.99 $470.72 $478.15 USD. I don't know if this is a temporary procing change or not, but I just noticed that this model has been discounted by 40%. I don't often see price drops like that on Amazon.

Here's the Amazon product description.

"The Sunforce 44444 400 Watt Wind Generator uses wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Constructed from lightweight, weatherproof cast aluminum, this generator is also a great choice for powering pumps or charging batteries for large power demands. With a maximum power up to 400 watts or 27 amps, this device features a fully integrated regulator that automatically shuts down when the batteries are completely charged. The 44444 is virtually maintenance free with only two moving parts, and the carbon fiber composite blades ensure low wind noise while the patented high wind over speed technology guarantees a smooth, clean charge. Assembly is required, but this generator installs easily and mounts to any sturdy pole, building, or the Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30-Foot Tower Kit. The 44444 uses a 12-volt battery (not included) and measures 15 x 9 x 27 inches (WxHxD)."

"Use the wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Great for cabins, 12V battery charging, remote power, backup power and hobbyists. Delivers up to 400 Watts. U.S.A. Application: Appliances and electronics, Volts: 12, Watts: 400 at 28 MPH, Blade Material: Carbon fiber composit, Speed (MPH): 110, Blade Diameter (in.): 46, Material: Lightweight cast aluminum body, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 24 x 15 x 9, Overspeed/Overcrank Shutdown: Electronic torque control."

For more information on the Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator, visit the product details page.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

As a follow-up to last month's post: Build Your Own Residential Wind Turbine, a new guide called Earth4Energy has just been released that provides step-by-step instructions for creating your own Earth4Energy DIY wind generator. The reason I wanted to blog about this similar product is that not only will this manual show you how to build your own wind turbine, but it will also provide step-by-step instructions on how to build your own DIY solar panels.

The reality of trying to power your home with wind is that the wind isn't always blowing. For this reason, renewable energy experts say that wind and solar is a good combination. Often the sun may be shining when the wind has calmed down and vice versa. A guide that will take you through the process of building your own wind turbine and building your own solar panels seems like a very valuable resource to me!

If you buy Earth4Energy, you can be up and running with residential wind power and residential solar power at a fraction of the cost of buying commercial products. Let's break it down. At a cost of $49.97 for the manual, $200 for materials to make a wind generator, $200 for the materials to make solar panels and a couple of weekends to actually work your way through the process, you'll be able to start producing your own power!

From the website:

"With the ever increasing costs of living there is no better time then right now to start producing our own electricity. Whether you want to simply reduce your power bills or completely eliminate them - Earth4Energy has a solution for you."

"Why pay $1000's for solar power or wind power when you can build your own professional system for less then $200!"

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

Although we haven't exhausted the list of available residential wind turbines, I wanted to make you aware of another direction you could go. A little bit more adventurous and not nearly as expensive, you could build your own residential wind turbine. It's amazing when you do a little bit of research and find out a lot of people are doing just that!

There are many resources available to guide you through the process step by step. One such resource is titled: Home Made Energy. The gentleman who wrote the book is Bill Ford and he doesn't just want to teach you how to make your own turbine ... he wants to teach you how to do it on the cheap! He promises to show you how to build your own residential wind turbine (1,000 watts) for less than $150.00 and a 3,000 watt wind turbine for about $220.00! That also includes the instructions and cost of building the tower.

I haven't read the book or gone through the process of building one of his turbines, but he claims you can make the three blades required for free in about an hour. He also provides tips on how to find a free forklift battery and recondition it for your power supply. He gives tips on what kind of generator you need and how to get the best prices.

Another resource available is Power4Home System to build your own wind generator. The author's name is John Russel and he claims that other plans he's seen are just too complicated. He promises easy to use instructions that will show you exactly how to build your own residential wind turbine (1,000 watts) for less than $200.00.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!

Freetricity is a company based in Hemet, California introduced their new residential wind turbine, the Freetricity E2D Windmaster. The E2D Windmaster is a roof-mounted turbine at a very reasonable cost.

Freetricity lists five different WindMaster Wind Turbines on their website ranging from $1399 to $3499. The E2D 12 Volt DC System is touted as "The perfect starter system" at a very affordable price of $1399.00. The E2D 24 Volt DC System is priced at $1699.00. Branded as "The Rolls Royce of battery based systems", the E2D 48 Volt DC System is listed at $2299.00. Although not currently available, the E2D 1800 watt Grid Connect System will come with a price tag of $2999.00 and the E2D 2500 watt Grid Connect System is available at a cost of $3499.00.

From the news release announcing the WindMaster product line:

"WindMaster is available in four different power packages. The Grid Connects unique design is the most convenient system and supplies the most kilowatt-hours of power of all the packages. Simply mount the wind turbine to your roof, wire it to the grid connect inverter, and wire the inverter into the supply panel. The power generated by the WindMaster is supplied to your homes supply panel first; however, if it generates more power than you are currently using it will spin your meter backwards. Your electric company will then give you credit or cash for the power you generate."

"The 12-Volt, 24 and 48-Volt packages are battery-based systems. They charge the battery first then supply the users home with the stored voltage and current through a DC to AC inverter. The 12-Volt Basic package is the starter system and because it is easy to regulate the output of the WindMaster, it can be upgraded to any other E2D system. This upgrade ability applies to all system packages and is unique to the renewable industry."

UPDATE: August 31, 2012

A little update on this company, Freetricity is no more. After numerous complaints (see comments for some examples), the company was apparantly charged with various felonies in 2010 and their website (http://www.freetricity.com) is no longer active.

For more information, see this business review from the BBB.

Are traditional residential wind turbines too expensive? Did you know you can build your own wind generator for less than $200 with Power4Home. Help the environment and save money!