Wind Basics

Turbine Aerodynamics- Wind Turbine Alternator

Unlike the old-fashioned Dutch windmill design, which relied mostly on the wind's force to push the blades into motion, modern turbines use more sophisticated aerodynamic principles to capture the wind's energy most effectively. The two primary aerodynamic forces at work in wind-turbine rotors are lift, which acts perpendicular to the direction of wind flow; and drag, which acts parallel to the direction of wind flow.

Step By Step Overview of Wind Power

Installing a Polaris America wind turbine involves several steps. In many ways, the process is not unlike developing a home site where you have to take into account many variables from siting to permitting to utility connections. Outlined below are the series of steps that your wind project will move through and the details surrounding each of the steps.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wind Power

Why Wind?

Never before have there been so many exciting and compelling reasons to invest in wind energy. The reality of a changing energy landscape has created the impetus to start thinking strategically and sustainably about our energy future.

Utility Connection Guide- wind turbine

Permitting and Plugging in your Polaris America Small Wind Turbines in the USA.

Introduction

This guide is intended as an overview for the consumer who wants to understand the process of permitting and connection for a utility connected wind turbine. People have been connecting renewable energy systems into their electric grid for many years. This type of system does not require batteries as the electric grid will store your energy when excess is produced.

Net Metering-Net Metering Electricity

For customers that generate their own electricity, net metering allows for the flow of electricity both to and from a customer’s facility through a single, bidirectional meter. This arrangement is much more advantageous for customers than the various two-meter arrangements used for QFs authorized by PURPA.

Wind basics- Industry Links

Investment Tax Credits & Depreciation Allowances

With the passage of the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” the United States Government put in place two great incentives that directly and positively impact the Polaris Wind Turbine projects all around the country. The “Small wind ITC” and “Bonus Depreciation”

Read more...

Economics of Community Wind power

We are facing an uncertain energy future. With volatile fuel and electrical costs, people are no longer taking for granted where their power comes from and how rising energy costs will impact their towns, schools, and businesses. In case study after case study, the average cost of power over the lifetime of a wind turbine is dramatically lower than that of traditional sources of power. In short, the power you make is power you don’t have to pay for from other sources.
Power produced locally = Utility costs saved
Now is the time to realize the economic benefits of owning a Polaris America Wind Turbine:

Federal and local grants and incentives make wind power work for you. Net metering, local grants, and tax incentives are making wind turbine projects accessible across the country – even “break even” projects are becoming economic imperatives.
Even in modest wind regimes, wind turbines tend to produce more power than other renewable energy sources. Polaris Wind Turbines are optimized for low wind speeds. It will produce the rated kW hours even in the most modest wind conditions.
Over the life of a wind turbine, your proposed project will almost always pay for itself. In some cases it takes only several years to realize a payback for your Polaris Wind Turbine – after you do, you have years of free power to look forward to.
A boost to your local economy. Local wind projects bring high-value jobs to your community from contractors to engineering services.

Wrapper Article for Dept of Energy

The Benefits of Wind Power

There are numerous wind power benefits. Depending on your specific wind project, some if not all may apply to you:

Lower overhead: See your electrical costs drop the second your blades start spinning. These savings coupled with state or federal incentive programs can offset your capital costs in several years – allowing you to put more of your profits back onto your operations.

Site Guide

This guide can help you decide if a residential scale wind turbine is right for you.

Introduction

Is Wind Right for you? Wind turbines are an effective source of renewable energy in many areas across the world. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) estimates there are as many as 13 million homes in the United States with a viable wind resource.

To make sure a small wind system is right for you, there things to consider: