10 Wind Power Facts

10 Wind Power Facts

There is a general push in recent years to research and develop alternative energy sources. Two of the main options are solar and wind power. Both are effective as renewable energy sources. This article focuses on wind power and gives 10 quick facts about wind-generated electricity.

1. The utilization of wind power has been around for over 900 years. Ruins of vertical wind tower bases were found in France that dated back to 1150.

2. Large wind turbines can generate enough electricity to supply around 600 homes. These types of windmills are usually placed in areas of high wind activity usually tens but sometimes hundreds at a time.

3. A small windmill can generate enough electricity to supply a single home or small business. The amount of power generated depends on wind activity and the length of the blades, but at the very least a windmill can help to reduce power costs.

4. Vertical windmills generate 50% more electricity than horizontal windmills. This is because vertical wind turbines are able to catch wind in any direction, not just in the one that the windmill is pointed at.

5. A complaint about windmills is that the blades kill birds and other flying animals, but more animals die from running into cars, power lines, and high-rise buildings than from getting caught in a wind turbine.

6. From 2000 to 2006, the number windmills has quadrupled across the world. Globally, countries had the capacity to generate more than 70,000 megawatts last year. To put this into perspective, a single megawatt is enough to power approximately 250 homes.

7. Germany is the most wind-powered country. Following Germany, is Spain, the US, India, and Denmark.

8. California generates the most wind power in the United States. America as a hole generates around 17 billion kilowatts of electricity every year.

9. Generating enough wind power for your home can make you money. A typical residential home uses around 10,000 kilowatts every year. If your windmill generates excess electricity, the power company will buy that electricity from you. This only works if your windmill is tied to your main power line.

10. Wind power is actually a type of solar power. Wind is generated as the atmosphere of the earth is heated and cooled. As these hot and cold regions meet, it causes air to move.

Wind power is mainstay in terms of renewable energy alternatives. As more research is done and it becomes cheaper to install a windmill, it will become imperative for residences and businesses to implement this technology to become more environmentally friendly, but also economically more sound.