Wind

Wind power converts wind energy into electricity and is most efficient when combined with solar energy. Since wind generation peaks at night and solar generation crests during the day, together wind and solar provide for a more consistent energy generation for your home and commercial enterprise. Capsells carries an extensive line of wind energy products including micro wind turbines, which are used to generate electricity, as well as accessories that provide incremental energy for all projects.

Recent advances in wind turbines have improved the technology's efficiency and cost effectiveness. For homes not connected to the electric grid, wind turbines are a great complement to solar energy because they charge batteries even after the sun goes down.

An interesting fact about wind turbines is that their capacity to produce power increases at a cube of the wind speed. So a turbine in a 10-mph wind produces almost twice as much power as the same turbine in an 8-mph wind. Since wind speeds increase the higher you go, the importance of wind towers can't be underestimated. That's why Capsells markets SunForce, Xerxes, and Primus wind towers in 20, 30, and 40-ft. heights. Turbines are more efficient at greater heights as well. Most models generate maximum power at 30 mph. At 15 mph, they generate about one-eighth their rated power.

Capsells carries Xzeres, Primus, WindMax, and Alekko wind turbines. All are well-designed, easy to mount, and durable. They've been tested by many years in Mother Nature's turbulence.

Wind turbines for grid-tied homes must be connected to a controller before sending power to the inverter. The controller takes turns highly variable AC voltage from the turbine into steady direct current. The inverter then converts the DC into AC power for the lights and appliances of the home or for storage on the electric grid. Capsells carries controllers from SunForce, Aleko, Morningstar, Ampair, and National Instruments.

The two best brands of inverters for wind turbines are SunForce and SMA's Windy Boy brand. Both brands have soft-starter features that prolong the life of the turbine, an important consideration.

Wind turbines for marine use require special engineering for salt air. We've been very happy with the marine turbines from SunForce and Skystream. We're confident you'll be happy too.