Wind Power After Hurricane Irma

[Peter Wickham]

I have a grid-tie solar power system (Outback 7.5 kw) in the Caribbean with a 24V battery bank. Hurricane Irma left my solar panels intact, but the charge controller was compromised and is being replaced. Life was very difficult before the grid was restored (3 months) so I am considering a wind turbine project. I am on the coast at 400' and prevailing winds are 12-25 m/s during the year. A covenant on my property disallows HAWTs but I may be able to use an unobtrusive VAWT. These seem to be mainly made in China and come with their own charge controllers. There are many on DHGATE and AliExpress in various wattages and volts.
Does anyone in the forum have any experience with these VAWTS and in particular with the wiring to the batteries with safety systems so that my Outback System is not compromised?

[Rob Beckers]

Hi Peter,

Welcome to Green Power Talk!
With those wind speeds a turbine makes perfect sense. In fact, part of your problem will be to keep the turbine from self-destructing.

I don't have any particular VAWT recommendations. Two things you should be aware of: With the odd exception commercial VAWTs have a track record of high prices and low energy production. They can be made to work about as good as a HAWT, but it inherently requires more material, and involves higher stresses, leading to a higher price. Second one is that Chinese wind turbines, VAWT or HAWT, have a terrible reputation. This truly is an area were "buyer beware" applies.

Your concern regarding the rest of your system is justified: A runaway turbine/charger would most definitely be able to fry your batteries. I would have very little trust in Chinese electronics that come with their turbines.

-RoB-