WINDPOWER UPDATE FROM MOTHER'S ECO-VILLAGE

(Page 2 of 2)

March/April 1984
 
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USING WHAT'S THERE

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Because the winds in our area are typically weak during the summer months, our yurt dwellers have had to boost the battery charge level periodically with a motor-driven generator. Summertime here in the South does offer another abundant resource, though, and plans are now in the works to supplement the zephyr power with photovoltaic electricity. With this hybrid system, we hope to be able to supply power not only for our full-time soil-diggers but also for their apprentices . . . who will be moving into the larger yurt that's just down the hill.

In the meantime, our Eco-Village windpower experts caution any of you who are considering the installation of a generator to check out your resource carefully before making the investment. They warn that even though the weather station in your area may report regular power-producing breezes, the topography and vegetation at your site may thoroughly disrupt those currents. Therefore, before you plunk down your money for a- machine, monitor the winds at your location (and do so at the elevation at which the blades of the plant will be located) for at least a year. Back in MOTHER NO. 68 (on page 176), TJ Byers told us how to build a cup anemometer for less than $20 . . . but even if you pay $200 for a commercial model, it will be money well spent. (Publications such as Alternative Sources of Energy, Dept. TMEN, 107 South Central Avenue, Milaca, Minnesota 56353 and Find Energy Digest, Dept. TMEN, Box 306, Bascom, Ohio 44809 regularly carry ads from numerous anemometer manufacturers and feature a wealth of editorial information about wind energy in general.)

Then, if you find that there's enough wind to warrant investing in a turbine, you might want to have a look at the plans for Marshall Price's basement-built windplant that was featured on page 130 of MOTHER NO. 84. The detailed construction drawings are available — for $15.00 plus $1.00 for shipping and handling — from Mother's Plans, P.O. Box A, East Flat Rock, North Carolina 28726.

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