If you have a wind resource greater than 8mph (4 m/s) and your area is free from obstacles then a wind generator will likely be a good match. It is that easy! An important reason to have a wind turbine is because of the seasonal variations of your solar and wind resources. A hybrid system that uses both solar photovoltaic panels and a wind turbine will make the perfect compliment that provides minimal interruptions in power. Depending on your energy consumption and wind speed, the chart below will help you decide which turbine best fits your needs.

Wind turbines can be separated into two general types based on the axis about which the turbine rotates. Turbines that rotate around a horizontal axis are most common. Vertical axis turbines are less frequently used.  Wind turbines can also be classified by the location in which they are to be used. Onshore, offshore, or even aerial wind turbines have unique design characteristics.

Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) have the main rotor shaft and generator at the top of a tower, and must be pointed into the wind by some means. Small turbines are pointed by a simple wind vane, while large turbines generally use a wind sensor coupled with a servomotor. Most have a gearbox too, which turns the slow rotation of the blades into a quicker rotation that is more suitable for generating electricity.

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (or VAWTs) have the main rotor shaft running vertically. The advantages of this arrangement are that the generator and/or gearbox can be placed at the bottom, near the ground, so the tower doesn't need to support it, and that the turbine doesn't need to be pointed into the wind. Drawbacks are usually the pulsating torque produced during each revolution, and the difficulty of mounting vertical axis turbines on towers, meaning they must operate in the slower, more turbulent air flow near the ground, with lower energy extraction efficiency.

Hopeful Wind Turbine

Wind generators of the type HAWT are very versatile yet simplistically designed for easy installation combined with excellent value for money.  The product is used in the areas with a good wind and without electricity such as: island, desert, plain, beach, frontier defense, microwave communication, telephone transmitting tower, forest observation tower, maintenance station of oil delivery pipeline, lighting of expressway etc.

These types of turbines utilize state of the art technology to give less flurrying noise with stable output.  With minimum speed of 3m/s, one can be assured of a good supply of electricity even in places with less then ideal wind

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SouthWest Windpower

The AIR-X 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.

Quieter operation : Previous AIR wind modules relied on their aero-elastic blade design for protection in high winds. This caused a loud flutter noise in winds above 35 mph (16 m/s). AIR-X’s circuit monitors the wind speed and electronically slows the blades as it reaches its rated output preventing it from going into flutter. This results in a much quieter wind turbine. In high winds, the AIR-X will continue to produce power at a reduced level until the wind decreases, at which point maximum potential output will resume.

Improved battery charging: Previous AIR designs required 300-400 amp hour battery banks so the trickle charge of the wind turbine could be adequately absorbed. The AIR-X’s charge controller periodically stops charging, reads the battery voltage, compares it to the voltage setting and if the battery is charged, it completely shuts off all current going to the battery. This function is performed within a few milliseconds. The closer the battery is to reaching its full state of charge, the more often the AIR-X’s circuit repeats this action. This means any size battery bank from 25 to 25,000 amp hours or higher can be charged safely. When the battery has reached its charged state, the AIR-X will slow to an almost complete stop. Only when the battery has dropped below its voltage set point will it startup and resume charging.