| There are times that sun isn't shinning but the wind is | | | | increasing the rotational speed for turning the |
| likely be blowing. The most alternative or supplement to | | | | generator. |
| solar power in generating electricity is the use of a | | | | - Generator: Transforms mechanical energy into |
| wind turbine. Wind power is an excellent energy | | | | electrical energy. |
| source that many home owners may benefit. | | | | - Directional Mechanism: Provides a means for |
| Early use of wind energy in some countries was | | | | swinging the blades into the wind for maximum |
| mainly for pumping water. Right now, the government's | | | | efficiency. |
| main thrust in many countries is the generation of | | | | - Protection Mechanism: The brake is activated when |
| electricity from wind. As with the other means of | | | | the conditions are not ideal. |
| harnessing energy, this also relies on a turbine, a wind | | | | - Tower: Raises the turbine well above the ground to |
| turbine. | | | | avoid turbulent winds and to expose the blade to |
| The use of wind energy panel has several | | | | higher wind speed. |
| advantages. Wind power is one of the most | | | | An alternative design is the vertical axis wind turbine, |
| environment friendly resources available and it is widely | | | | so called because it rotates about a vertical axis much |
| available in many countries. Wind turbine technology is | | | | like an eggbeater. Because the wind is perpendicular to |
| mature and there are advanced systems that are | | | | the axis of rotation, this turbine ca utilizes wind blowing |
| both cheaper and more efficient that previous designs. | | | | from any direction and does not require a directional |
| Wind turbines can be installed in uninhabited areas such | | | | mechanism. The generator of the gearbox can also |
| as mountains and hills or integrated with existing farm | | | | be conveniently located at ground level so there is no |
| lands. | | | | need for a tower. To reduce stress, the blades are |
| There are two main designs for wind turbines currently | | | | made from light weight but strong composite materials. |
| in use in many countries. The horizontal axis and the | | | | The horizontal axis wind turbines tend to be more |
| vertical axis wind turbines. Of the two, the horizontal | | | | efficient that the vertical axis design. Some designs |
| axis wind turbine is more widely used and studied. | | | | can extract up to 45% of available energy from the |
| A horizontal axis wind turbines looks like a plane | | | | wind. But since the blade and the generation have to |
| propeller and employs the same principle. Is usually | | | | be at the top of the tower, turbines with large |
| having the following component: | | | | capacities tend to be expensive. |
| - Blades: Harness the wind's kinetic energy, | | | | A large turbine with the long blades can extract more |
| transforming it into rotational kinetic energy. | | | | energy from the wind than a small than a small turbine. |
| - Gear Box: Contains the mechanical parts for | | | | |