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Small wind turbines have been useful not only for residential but also for commercial, industrial, and institutional purposes. They augment power supply and lessen the electric bills of home and business owners. Around the world, many companies have begun becoming environment-friendly by choosing this power-generating alternative.
There are two types available in the market – vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) and horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). The vertical one is identified by blades mounted on vertical shafts while the horizontal one is by propeller-like blades. Depending on the availability of the wind, both types can be installed on towers or poles or even on your rooftop.
You might be asking what differences or similarities these two have. Here’s a short but helpful description of each:
Blade shape
VAWTs come with blades of various shapes. There are wind turbines that have blades formed like a bow and there are some with an S-shape. Even more daring, some wind turbine experts shape their blades into a spiral to make battery charging more convenient. The shaft of VAWTs is positioned vertically so the gearing needs not be set on a higher level or at the top of a mast of HAWTS to convert the rotation to a vertical shaft that drives a generator at ground level.
Noise produced
VAWTs can be quieter. Vertical turbines’ noise is only 2 decibels if you stay 2 meters away from the generator. HAWTs, on the other hand, can produce from 35 dB to 50 dB of noise. 35 dB is similar to the one observed in the library. A 50-decibel noise is like an office with many people working together.
Interaction with the wind
As to interaction with the wind, VAWTs are not disturbed by the wind while HAWTs always go where the wind is directed. This makes VAWTs less susceptible to turbulence than HAWTs, a factor why they are used mostly in urban areas.
Power Output
One HAWT produces 1.5 kW of power at 31 mph and a total of 2000 kWh of power delivered annually. Some can produce 5000 kWh per year with an average of wind speed of 12.5 mph.
VAWTs, on the other hand, produce a peak power of 7 kWh and deliver 7000 to 10,000 kWh of power per year.
Before deciding whether to buy a horizontal or vertical wind turbine, it is a must that you know which type of wind turbine will give you your money’s worth. You can either search the net or seek advice from experts on wind turbines.
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